"Nie Li, now that we've gotten in here, getting out is going to be tough,"
"If I can get in, I can also get out," Nie Li said with a faint smile. A small Silver Wing Family territory like this could never hope to hold him. Nie Li had at least several dozen methods to slip out undetected.
However, the Silver Wing Family still had some value for now.
Nie Li and the others devoted themselves to cultivation in the side courtyard. Xiao Ning'er and the rest had begun pushing toward the Gold rank. After their recent brushes with danger, they were all the more eager to improve their strength.
"Bring him in." Several guards escorted a young man into the courtyard.
"Young Master Lei, we've brought the traitor," the leading guard said.
The young man's upper body was bare, his entire body bound in countless iron chains, and his cultivation had been suppressed by a seal on his stomach.
"You've worked hard. Here are a few premium pills — please don't stand on ceremony." Nie Li's right hand moved, and he handed several pills to the leading guard.
The guard accepted the pills, sniffed them, and his face immediately lit up with undisguised joy. He said respectfully, "Young Master Lei is too kind. Be careful, though — this traitor has Gold Three Star strength."
Nie Li laughed. "You've already bound him up tight and suppressed his cultivation with a seal. Don't worry."
"Then we'll take our leave." The guards withdrew with respectful bows.
Although the young man was bound head to toe, his face wore an expression of proud defiance. He took one glance at Nie Li, then turned his head away, remaining silent. Before being brought here, he had already heard that Nie Li intended to use him as a test subject for his pills.
Nie Li looked into the young man's eyes. They were filled with hatred. If given even the slightest chance, he would destroy the entire Silver Wing Family without hesitation.
"What's your name?" Nie Li asked, looking at the young man.
The young man gave Nie Li a slightly puzzled glance, then said proudlyly, "
Nie Li sat in his chair and was silent for a long moment before speaking. "If I gave you a chance at revenge, what would you do?"
Duan Jian stared blankly at Nie Li. He couldn't understand why Nie Li had suddenly said something like this.
"I'm not part of the Silver Wing Family, and I have no fondness for them," Nie Li said with a shrug.
A cold, sharp light flickered through Duan Jian's previously dull eyes. Then he said, "If you can give me such a chance, I swear on my dead parents — I will serve you faithfully for the rest of my life and never betray you!"
"That's your word," Nie Li said, raising an eyebrow slightly. He could sense the pair of black wings behind Duan Jian — they contained boundless power. "From now on, you'll follow me. I promise I will help you avenge your parents."
Duan Jian dropped to his knees with a thud. His eyes blazed with defiance and hatred, like a volcano about to erupt. He took a deep breath and said, "Give me ten years, and I will take that old thief Sikong Yi's head! If you can help me, I, Duan Jian, swear hereby to acknowledge you as my master. I will serve you faithfully for the rest of my life and never betray you! If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down."
Duan Jian carried a sea of blood and vengeance on his shoulders. Countless times he had contemplated death, but he had endured each time, like a wounded beast waiting patiently to strike back at the Silver Wing Family.
Nie Li looked at Duan Jian and handed him a pill. "Eat it."
Duan Jian didn't hesitate. He opened his mouth and swallowed the pill.
"Aren't you afraid I'm using this pill to poison you?" Nie Li asked calmly, watching Duan Jian.
"If you wanted me dead, I wouldn't stand a chance of surviving anyway. From this moment on, my life is yours — take it whenever you want!" Duan Jian said, lifting his head with pride.
Though he was a prisoner, Duan Jian still possessed a backbone of iron. If Nie Li hadn't offered him a chance at revenge, he would never have submitted to anyone. Nie Li still remembered that look in his eyes during the flogging — fearless and unbowed. A person like that, if he gave his loyalty sincerely, would never betray.
"I have a method that can turn you into an extraordinarily powerful warrior — even one who surpasses the Legendary rank. But it will require enduring immense torment and suffering. Are you willing?" Nie Li asked, looking down at Duan Jian.
"What torment and suffering haven't I already endured in this life? That old thief Sikong Yi wanted to break me, but that's absolutely impossible. Pain and suffering only make me stronger." Though Duan Jian was bound in chains and his cultivation was sealed, an unstoppable momentum radiated from his body.
Nie Li's right hand moved, and several slender needles appeared in his grasp. "Your body carries the Black Dragon bloodline. I can awaken the Black Dragon bloodline within you. As a descendant of the Dragon Clan, once your bloodline is awakened, you will at minimum reach the Legendary rank."