"You flatter me, Uncle. How could I possibly be worthy of Senior Sister Hong Yue?"
"No need to be so modest, nephew. Though your cultivation may not match Hong Yue's, your pill-making skills alone are more than enough to make you worthy of her," Sikong Yi said with a hearty laugh.
This old geezer just wouldn't quit. Nie Li cursed inwardly, though he kept the smile on his face. "Uncle could certainly send people to gather herbs, but the outside world is overrun with Demon Beasts and fraught with danger. They probably wouldn't even know where to find the herbs — and if they went and never came back..."
Sikong Yi furrowed his brow slightly. "How about this — you go with my people to gather the herbs. It's a dangerous journey, so I'll send more experts to accompany you. As for your friends, they can stay here for the time time being. Does that work?"
This old bastard Sikong Yi — ruthless! He wanted to keep Ning'er and the others here as hostages.
Nie Li smiled and said, "Sure. Who do you plan to have escort me out?"
"Within my territory, only I have reached the Legendary level. There are also two Black Gold elders, but their duties are important and they can't leave. As for the outside world..." Sikong Yi's voice carried a clear hint of unease. "Would five Gold-level warriors accompanying you be enough?"
"You worry too much, Uncle. Two Gold-level warriors will be plenty. The outside world isn't as dangerous as you imagine," Nie Li said with a laugh.
"Two simply isn't enough to put my mind at ease. I'll send five Gold-level warriors with you," Sikong Yi shook his head. How could he feel safe sending only two?
"That works then. But I have one condition," Nie Li said after a brief pause.
"Name it, nephew."
"Many of the herbs are difficult to control in terms of their properties. I want to bring
Sikong Yi frowned slightly. He couldn't quite figure out why Nie Li was so interested in Duan Jian, and it made him wary. But recently, Duan Jian's agonized screams had gone a long way toward convincing him that Nie Li really was conducting pill tests.
Besides, Duan Jian was only at Gold Three Star. What kind of trouble could he possibly cause?
"Fine, take Duan Jian with you," Sikong Yi said with a faint smile. "Get ready and leave tomorrow morning. I'll have my men bring the Radiance Stone and go with you!" To avoid any complications, Sikong Yi wanted to act as soon as possible.
"Understood!" Nie Li nodded. He already had a clear plan in mind — it didn't matter when they set out.
Sikong Yi narrowed his eyes. Keeping Nie Li's friends hostage here, especially that pretty little girl among them — he didn't believe Nie Li would dare not come back.
Nie Li made small talk with Sikong Yi for a while, trying to get his hands on the Radiance Stone as a precaution, but the old fox kept dodging the topic whenever it came up, showing no intention whatsoever of handing the stone over.
In the end, Nie Li had no choice but to give up and take his leave.
"Hong Yue, do you think this
"Lei Zhuo may try a few tricks, but the man is too soft-hearted. As long as we keep his friends here, he'll have no choice but to come back," Sikong Hong Yue replied. Recalling Nie Li's earlier actions at the Crimson Blood Crystal Mine, she let out a contemptuous scoff.
He'd gone to such lengths for a stranger — how much more so for friends he'd spent every day with?
"Good." Sikong Yi relaxed with a laugh. "If our Silver Wing Family's illness can be cured, what do we have to fear from the other families? Once I unite all the families here, I'll go see what the outside world has to offer."
Though Sikong Yi feared the outside world, this realm existed in perpetual darkness — food was scarce, and Demon Beast attacks were a daily occurrence. If there was a chance to venture out, he still wanted to try.
The Guest Courtyard.
"Stay here. We've agreed — in ten days, the night of the tenth, we move! Once I start, follow this route and run!" Nie Li spread a map open before
The map had been drawn by Nie Li after his return. He had already mapped out the entire layout of the Silver Wing Family's estate down to the last detail.
Xiao Ning'er, Du Ze, and the rest each received a copy of the map and committed it to memory.
"This time, the Silver Wing Family is going to be turned completely upside down," Nie Li said with a grin. Every last detail was in place.
In the corner, Duan Jian sat cross-legged in silent cultivation. At Nie Li's words, a strange light flickered in his eyes. He had been waiting for this day of vengeance for a very long time.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, five Gold-level warriors arrived at Nie Li's courtyard.
"Young Master Lei, it's time to go." The leader, a Gold Five Star warrior, spoke with a hint of deference. His gaze swept toward Duan Jian, who was slumped against the wall, and a flash of contempt crossed his eyes before he smiled. "I am Sikong Jue. I'll be responsible for Young Master Lei's safety on this journey."
"Did you bring the Radiance Stone?" Nie Li asked, looking at Sikong Jue.
"We did. Please have a look." Sikong Jue produced the Radiance Stone and held it out with a smile. "Fifty stones in total. They're all in my Space Ring."