"Thank you, Uncle." Nie Li nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. The old fox must think he'd gotten a great deal with so much Skyfrost Herb. Skyfrost Herb itself wasn't particularly toxic, but using it created a dependency. In other words, once the herb ran out, Sikong Yi would stop at nothing to find more.
Nie Li did have a way to cure Sikong Yi. But he understood that a tyrant like Sikong Yi, while still ill, might show some restraint. Once cured, Nie Li would lose his only leverage.
"Someone, prepare a feast! I want to host a grand banquet for my good nephew Lei Zhuo!" Sikong Yi bellowed.
Nie Li's mind raced. Ning'er, Lu Piao, and the others were still outside. How could he contact them? What if Ning'er and the others, worried by his long absence, came up the mountain and ran into trouble? Although he knew having too many people here was risky, Nie Li decided to go bring them back. He could always find another way to deal with Sikong Yi later.
"Patriarch, I need to go down the mountain. My friends are still waiting for me there," Nie Li said to Sikong Yi.
"Oh? Friends?" Sikong Yi raised an eyebrow, a thought crossing his mind. He smiled. "Any friend of my nephew is a friend of ours. I'll send people to bring them here immediately!"
"I'll go myself. It would be trouble if my friends and your people got into a conflict," Nie Li said.
"Very well. Then let Hongyue accompany you," Sikong Yi agreed. Sikong Hongyue, with her strength, could easily suppress Nie Li, who was only at Silver Five-Star.
Under Sikong Hongyue's escort, Nie Li descended the mountain and met up with Xiao Ning'er and the others.
"Nie Li, you're finally back! We were about to come looking for you; we were so worried!" Lu Piao sighed in relief.
Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er exchanged a glance. "After I went up, I unexpectedly met an old family friend. Before the Dark Age, the Silver Wing Family and our Silver Radiance Family were sworn allies!" Nie Li explained.
Since when was Nie Li part of the Silver Radiance Family? Du Ze and the others glanced at the stern-faced girl behind Nie Li. They immediately understood.
Xiao Ning'er and the others quickly caught on too. They were a smart group, after all, and knew Nie Li was hinting at something.
The one they were most concerned about was Lu Piao.
Sikong Hongyue's cool, distant gaze was constantly observing the reactions of Du Ze and the others. Her eyes settled on Lu Piao, whose reaction was a bit odd.
Lu Piao froze for a moment, staring blankly at Sikong Hongyue. Xiao Xue nudged him with her elbow. Lu Piao seemed to snap awake, his eyes lighting up. "Nie Li, who's this girl? That figure is... impressive!"
So his earlier daze was just him ogling her. Sikong Hongyue frowned slightly.
"Lu Piao, rein it in. She's my sworn sister!" Nie Li quickly interjected, feeling a bit relieved. Lu Piao might be coarse, but he was perceptive when it counted.
"Heh heh, my apologies. Got carried away. Sworn sister, what's your name?" Lu Piao asked, eyeing Sikong Hongyue with a lecherous grin. Playing a lecher was second nature to him; it didn't raise any suspicion.
"Sikong Hongyue," she replied coolly. If it weren't for the Silver Wing Family needing Nie Li, she wouldn't have spared them a single glance.
"Lu Piao. Flirting right in front of me? You're asking for it!" Xiao Xue snapped, giving Lu Piao a sharp rap on the head. He yelped and crouched down, clutching his skull.
Sikong Hongyue ignored them completely, turning to walk away. "Let's go."
The group followed Sikong Hongyue. Nie Li deliberately hung back a step, exchanging meaningful glances with the others. If they whispered, Sikong Hongyue, a Gold Five-Star powerhouse, would certainly overhear.
At the Silver Wing Family's Great Tree Palace.
The hall was packed with several hundred people. Wine cups clinked and conversation buzzed at the banquet.
"Nephew, come, have another drink with me!" Sikong Yi raised his cup, his voice booming. "This is Lei Zhuo, nephew of the Silver Radiance Family. From now on, he is a honored guest in our Silver Wing Family's domain! Wherever he goes, no one is to obstruct him! Any request he makes must be fulfilled!"
Hearing Sikong Yi's words, the Silver Wing Family members exchanged bewildered glances. They scrutinized Nie Li, wondering who this mysterious figure was to receive such importance from the Patriarch.
Sikong Yi's gaze swept over Du Ze and the others. They felt a wave of pressure. Having arrived here and learned everything from Nie Li, they now harbored a deep wariness towards Sikong Yi. Moreover, he was a Legendary-level powerhouse.
"You are all good friends of my nephew Lei Zhuo, and therefore honored guests of our Silver Wing Family. Make yourselves at home, no need for formalities!" Sikong Yi laughed heartily.
"Thank you, Patriarch." Du Ze and the others hurriedly raised their cups.