Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Invitation

In an attic, Li Yanyuan finished reading the note in her hand and casually crushed it. She gazed out the window.

"Are you certain the item is in the hands of this branch of the Forbidden Martial Hall?"

A middle-aged woman behind her replied respectfully, "Absolutely."

"Good. Make preparations. We act tonight," said Li Yanyuan.

"Yes, I'll get everything ready," the woman answered.

After the middle-aged woman left, the maid beside Li Yanyuan whispered, "Miss, are you sure you want to proceed? According to our intelligence, this branch of the Forbidden Martial Hall has three ninth-tier masters. One of them is said to be as powerful as you."

"That item is vital to me. I must have it," Li Yanyuan shook her head. In Xiangzhou City, since her trusted aide Qiao Bin had died, she was now the only ninth-tier expert left. When the time came, she would face three ninth-tier opponents alone—a contest whose outcome was uncertain, with little chance of victory.

"Go yourself and invite Qin Feng. Tell him I have something important to discuss," Li Yanyuan ordered. Yes, she intended to ask Qin Feng for help.

"Yes, Miss."

...

Golden Tiger Gang Headquarters.

After the money was distributed, many hurried to leave, hoping to make it out of the city before sunset.

"Leader, are you leaving now as well? May I ask where you plan to go?" He Hongjun asked eagerly. Frankly, he hadn't expected Qin Feng to disband the Golden Tiger Gang.

Qin Yi glanced at He Hongjun and could see his intentions—he wanted to leave Xiangzhou with him. However...

"As for where I'm going, let's just say we'll meet again if fate allows," Qin Yi replied.

Hearing this, He Hongjun realized there was no hope of tagging along, so he cupped his hands and said, "Leader, until we meet again!"

"Until we meet again!"

Watching He Hongjun depart in haste, Qin Yi was also planning to return home, pack, and leave the city. There was no need to wait for tomorrow.

Just then, a gang member rushed in from outside.

"Leader, someone is here to see you."

Although the Golden Tiger Gang had just been disbanded, the followers of Jiang Ying and others remained respectful.

"Someone is looking for me?" Qin Yi was mildly surprised. Who could it be?

He walked outside and saw a woman in green waiting for him.

"You must be Qin Feng, Leader Qin. My mistress wishes to speak with you about something important," the woman said sweetly.

"And your mistress is?"

"You met her that night outside the grove beyond the city," the woman replied.

"So it’s her!" Qin Yi understood—it was the woman from the Qinglian Sect that night.

"Lead the way," Qin Yi said.

Half an hour later.

Inside an attic.

"Leader Qin, you’re here," Li Yanyuan greeted him.

"Since the lady invited me, how could I refuse? By the way, I still don’t know your name," Qin Yi smiled.

"My surname is Li, given name Yanyuan."

"So, Miss Li. What is it you wish to discuss?" Qin Yi asked. If she still wanted him to join the Qinglian Sect, he would decline for now.

"I want to ask you for a favor."

"A favor? What kind?" Qin Yi was slightly surprised.

"Tonight, I intend to kill three ninth-tier masters. Alone, I may not be able to defeat them, so I want to invite you to join me. With the two of us, I believe we can manage it. Of the three, two are of average strength; only one matches you and me," Li Yanyuan said directly.

"Kill them?" Qin Yi frowned, suddenly alert.

"Yes. I am willing to offer you an eighth-tier martial art as reward," Li Yanyuan said. This eighth-tier martial art was something she had obtained from defeating an opponent.

"Eighth-tier martial art?" Qin Yi felt a stir within. Although his desire for first-class martial arts was not as strong as before, an eighth-tier skill was certainly superior to any martial art below the sixth tier.

"Could you tell me more? Which faction are these people from? If there’s a hidden innate master among them..." Qin Yi asked cautiously. Such things were not impossible. It was always wise to ask for clarification.

Li Yanyuan laughed lightly, "You needn't worry. The ones I want to kill are a team of Forbidden Martial Hall members passing through Xiangzhou. You know the Forbidden Martial Hall, right?"

"I’ve heard of it," Qin Yi was greatly surprised—it was the Forbidden Martial Hall!

"Currently, Dayong is at war with Beiyuan in the north. Not only have the experts of the Glazed Sect been deployed, but most of the Forbidden Martial Hall’s masters have also been sent north. Rest assured, there won’t be any innate masters from the Forbidden Martial Hall in Xiangzhou. Otherwise, do you think it’s a coincidence that rebel forces are appearing everywhere in Dayong, and the Red Sect and Yellow Turban Sect are causing havoc? It’s all because of that old monster in Dayong..." Li Yanyuan stopped herself abruptly, realizing she was saying too much.

"What old monster?" Qin Yi sensed he had caught something important.

"Nothing. Anyway, an eighth-tier martial art. Will you help me?" Li Yanyuan asked seriously.

Qin Yi thought for a moment. "Very well. But I have a small request—let me have one survivor. There’s something I wish to ask the Forbidden Martial Hall."

"What is it you want to ask?" Li Yanyuan frowned.

"One of my seniors was killed by the Forbidden Martial Hall. There are things I need to clarify," Qin Yi replied, half-truthfully. In fact, he had two reasons for agreeing: first, the eighth-tier martial art; second, his senior Zhang Daoxuan had been hunted by the Forbidden Martial Hall. Perhaps they knew something about him, or even about the incomplete Dao Diagram.

So he agreed.

"Fine! I agree," Li Yanyuan nodded.

"When shall we act?" Qin Yi asked.

"At midnight tonight. Come here an hour early," Li Yanyuan said.

"Agreed."

Before long, Qin Yi chose to go straight home. Since there would be action tonight, he thought it best to take the opportunity to improve his Wen Gong and those two martial arts.

At home.

Inside a room.

"System!"

Qin Yi:

... (omitted)

Giant Spirit Skill: Entry +

Guihai Skill: Entry +

Observation Method: Entry +

Energy: 545

"Upgrade Observation Method!"

Buzz!

A cool sensation suddenly swept through his mind.

Qin Yi found that another figure had appeared in his consciousness, ceaselessly cultivating the Observation Method.

Three years.

Ten years.

Twenty years.

Thirty years.

...

Finally, the progress halted at the third layer—Realization.

This Observation Method still consisted of five layers: No Observation, No Reflection, Realization, Inner View, and Cloud of Elixir.

When Qin Yi opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was that his mental state was much improved. His spirit was vigorous! It seemed even his physical condition had improved. Within his body, a fourth strand of "Qi" had appeared.