Chapter 56: An Unconventional Three-Year Pact

"Good, what a perfect 'Never Bully a Poor Girl.'" Ge Ye's spirit jolted, feeling the blood that had long been icy throughout his body heat up again.

But Ge Ye glanced at Xiao Zhan and the three elder masters who had broken through to Grand Dou Master, and forcibly cooled the hot blood that refused to chill.

Na Lan Yanran didn't notice at all that Ge Ye beside her was bearing most of the oppressive aura, having fully slipped into her own defiant heroine mold.

"Xiao Yan, today Na Lan Yanran and I make a three‑year pact; after three years, you and I will settle our scores at Yun Lan Sect, and if I win, you must let me call off the marriage!"

Xiao Yan silently assessed Na Lan Yanran, whose Dou Qi was at the ninth level; not to mention him, there are many in his family far stronger than she is.

Little Medicine Immortal, Xun Er, even Xiao Ning and the others are roughly on par with her.

Because the Dou Qi level makes the physique weak, there are almost no suitable resources, especially in the remote Jama Empire, which is precisely where Yao Lao's Foundation‑Establishing Spirit Liquid shines.

A hint of contempt flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes; if not for backing the Yun Lan Sect, Na Lan Yanran would probably only reach Fighting King at most.

"Fine, if I win, you must apologize to my Xiao family and accept my divorce letter!"

"Fine!"

……

At Canaan Academy, Xiao Li pushed open the cultivation room door, drawing a body‑full Blood‑Killing Aura into himself; as the Blood‑Killing Heaven‑Smashing Thunder circulated, the last trace of fire poison in his body was completely consumed.

After a month of seclusion, he had thoroughly stabilized his realm and also ground away the lingering resentment that had been borne when he absorbed the Blood‑Killing Heaven‑Smashing Thunder.

As Xiao Li's figure appeared, one by one the other figures halted their steps.

"He is Xiao Li?"

"Exactly. A month ago I saw Elder Su bring him here with my own eyes; I didn't expect him to persist on the Seventh Floor for a whole month—his mind and physique truly surpass ordinary people."

"That's not nonsense; defeating Fu Ziyi with the strength of a Three‑Star Dou Ling, such talent is unquestionably the top of the Inner Courtyard."

"When next month's Strong Ranking Contest kicks off again, I'm afraid this one will be third."

Strong Ranking Contest?

Xiao Li squinted; getting onto that list seemed to promise a lot of rewards.

He silently noted the time in his mind, left the Heaven‑Burning Qi‑Refining Tower, and prepared to hunt demon beasts; cultivation this way was too slow, so he intended to absorb blood pills while training, hoping to reach his goal sooner.

Of course, he could also go to the Thunder Sect to collect the remaining Blood‑Killing Aura, but the feeling of lingering resentment was truly unpleasant; fearing complications, Xiao Li planned to postpone that for a while.

Xiao Li indeed needed time, but a mindless chase for power could cause trouble; the resentment accumulated over centuries within the Blood‑Killing Heaven‑Smashing Thunder, if it went awry, a tiny Dou Ling like him couldn't bear it.

Xiao Li had just emerged from seclusion when a freshman waiting outside greeted him.

"Brother Xiao Li."

Xiao Li nodded; he recognized the person as a freshman from the same cohort as Lin Xiuyai.

"Did something happen?"

The person scratched his head and said, "Nothing really, but Brother Lin asked us to take turns waiting here for you, fearing you wouldn't know the location; once you emerge, we'll escort you back to the base."

Xiao Li was enlightened; Lin Xiuyai was indeed thoughtful, "Let's go."

"Alright."

"By the way, no need to address you formally anymore; we're all friends, just call us by name."

"Ah, okay, big brother."

"Um… whatever, just don't use honorifics."

Within the Inner Courtyard, one of the most bustling bases.

Lin Xiuyai lingered in the main hall, feeling a slight headache; currently the Thunder Sect's only notable talent is Xiao Li, and without him, this group of freshmen would have a hard time contending with the seniors.

Staring at the base secured thanks to Xiao Li's defeat of Fu Ziyi, Lin Xiuyai sighed, "Xiao Li, you finished your seclusion quickly and left such a huge mess; I can't hold it. Si Ma Ling, proudly second in the Strong Ranking Contest, wants to seize territory, and I'm the one standing in his way."

"Lin Xiuyai, come out!"

Hearing the familiar voice outside, Lin Xiuyai covered his forehead and said, "Who's being called? Why are we being summoned again?"

At the Thunder Sect base's main gate, many Inner Courtyard disciples gathered to watch the spectacle.

Si Ma Ling stood proudly outside the gate, a junior by his side shouting for him, scanning the crowd—only the two of them were present.

Si Ma Ling glanced at the emerging freshmen without a hint of concern; if he hadn't needed to speak personally to maintain his status, he could have come alone.

Since his failed attempt at the Fighting King half a month ago, Si Ma Ling's fire energy has been drained, urgently needing replenishment; with these fresh lambs, he naturally wouldn't choose to exploit his own juniors.

"Lin Xiuyai, what are your thoughts on the protection fee?" Si Ma Ling said lightly.

Lin Xiuyai replied firmly, "This territory was earned by our own merit; we can't just hand it over to you."

Si Ma Ling let out a light sigh, "If you refuse a toast and take a penalty drink, then force will be the only way to settle this."

Lin Xiuyai stepped forward, "Our leader is still in seclusion; once he emerges, he'll give you an answer."

Lin Xiuyai wasn't afraid of retreat, but throughout the Thunder Sect, aside from Xiao Li, none could match Si Ma Ling, the Nine‑Star Dou Ling; taking a beating outright wasn't worthwhile, so a delaying tactic was preferable.

"Hmph, that guy hides in the Heaven‑Burning Qi‑Refining Tower; who knows when he'll return? I'm too lazy to wait. Today, you must give me an answer—five hundred units of fire energy, or leave this base." Si Ma Ling sneered, giving the freshmen a face, but who would give the second‑ranked Inner Courtyard person such courtesy?

"Since that's the case, consider yourself offended!" Lin Xiuyai inhaled deeply, launching the first strike, his azure long sword flashing fiercely.

"Azure Flash Wind Kill!"

Behind Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing Yanhao no longer hesitated; his spear and hammer moved in unison. As the rising stars of the younger generation, they couldn't possibly flee like cowards.

A flash of impatience crossed Si Ma Ling's eyes; a long sword materialized in his hand, its blade shining clear, and with a single strike he sent the three flying, crashing at the base's gate.

"Just three petty Grand Dou Masters dare to strike me."

"I'll tell you again: hand over five hundred units of fire energy, or leave this base!" Si Ma Ling's sword radiated unmatched might; his patience had run out, and the freshmen should behave like freshmen—defying a senior's order is unacceptable.

Han Yue had just sprinted out of the courtyard when she saw the scene; her pupils narrowed slightly, and a white chill surged forth without hesitation, ready to strike at Si Ma Ling.

"Alright, leave this to me."

A voice sounded beside Han Yue; her beautiful eyes froze, and she looked to the side with surprise.

"Brother Xiao Li."

The newcomer was indeed Xiao Li, clad in black, unmoving as thunder, his gaze at Si Ma Ling darkened; those who knew him understood that Xiao Li had murderous intent.

"You are Si Ma Ling?"

Sima Ling pointed his sword at the ground, "Not bad, you are Xiao Li? Your bearing is not bad, but your strength is somewhat weak; I don't know how that guy Fu Ziyi could have lost to you."

As for Sima Ling's sarcasm, Xiao Li paid it no heed.

"Just now you mentioned two options; now I also give you two options."

"What?" Sima Ling frowned tightly, utterly arrogant, daring to actually give him two options.

"Kneel and apologize, or crawl out like a dog!"

Everyone, I just binge-read the original work today and discovered something: as it turns out, Lin Xiuya and Yan Hao are the ones who defeated the Black Sha Team, but the strength of the Three-Star Grand Fighter is somewhat lower; in chapter 480 of the original work, it mentions that Lin Xiuya's cohort won against the Black Sha Team but lost to the White Sha Team.

Also, Han Yue's way of addressing Lin Xiuya is 'senior,' but they are actually from the same cohort; he calls him 'senior' only because of age and strength.

(End of chapter)