Chapter 325: The Good Show

"As long as you wholeheartedly support Li Yufeng, the others will naturally listen to you!" The Third Elder said, somewhat irritated.

"I, Li Xingyun, can be loyal to the family, but becoming Li Yufeng's lackey? He doesn't deserve that! Over the years, our Cang Yan Family has managed to hunt down only a single God-tier growth-type dragon blood Demon Spirit. Ask yourselves honestly — was my talent not greater than Li Yufeng's back then? That God-tier growth-type dragon blood Demon Spirit should have been fused with by me, but because he was the son of the previous Patriarch, he used underhanded means to circumvent the family's rules and fused with it first. I accepted that. My strength has indeed fallen further behind his over the years, but I refuse to accept it!" Li Xingyun's voice carried a tinge of anger.

Normally, standing in Li Xingyun's position, these words should not have been spoken aloud, but Li Xingyun was a man of fiery blood and simply could not hold back.

The Third Elder's face darkened. "Li Xingyun, you're still bitter about what happened back then. The results of that assessment showed that your talent was indeed inferior to Li Yufeng's. What you believe is nothing more than a misunderstanding."

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, I don't want to pursue it any further. Even among you elders, don't you each have your own factions? By what right should I hand over my brothers to be absorbed under Li Yufeng's command?" Li Xingyun looked toward another elder nearby. "Fifth Elder, tell me — does our Cang Yan Family have such a rule?"

"Li Xingyun, this is the family's decision. The forces you control will become a source of instability for the Cang Yan Family in the future!" The Fifth Elder beside him said with a frown.

"Ha ha, so you've finally shown your true colors. That kid Li Yufeng may be stronger than me, but he doesn't have anyone's loyalty. Nobody wants to listen to him. You're worried that as my brothers grow stronger, I'll compete with him for the position, so you want to snuff out the threat in the cradle. Am I right?" Li Xingyun let out a cold laugh. "You've really gone to great lengths to put Li Yufeng on top!"

Both elders frowned. Li Xingyun was far too unruly, and forcing him to agree right here would be difficult. After all, Li Xingyun also had an elder standing behind him, and they couldn't push things too far.

But Li Xingyun was indeed a source of instability for the family, especially since he had recently spent a large fortune purchasing a great number of Demon Spirits, vastly strengthening the power of his subordinates. The future risk was all the greater.

Outside, listening to the conversation within, Nie Li smiled faintly. So this was the real situation. In his previous life, Li Xingyun had ultimately left the family — probably driven too far. But that wouldn't happen yet, since Li Yufeng had not yet become Patriarch. Li Xingyun's departure from the Cang Yan Family occurred only after Li Yufeng ascended to the patriarch's seat.

Nie Li actually rather admired Li Xingyun. The fact that Li Xingyun could rally a group of brothers so devoted to him was no accident. It was because Li Xingyun was fiercely loyal — sometimes, people followed someone not because that person was the strongest, but because that person was dependable and wouldn't let them down.

"Elders, please go back. No matter what, asking me to hand my brothers over on a silver platter to become Li Yufeng's dogs — that is absolutely impossible!" Li Xingyun said with a cold snort.

"Li Xingyun, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!" the Third Elder said angrily.

"I, Li Xingyun, have not violated any family rules. Third Elder, Fifth Elder, are you trying to bully me with your authority?" A cold glint flashed in Li Xingyun's eyes. "Then go talk to my uncle about it!"

Li Xingyun's uncle was the Second Elder of the Cang Yan Family — second only to the Patriarch.

"Hmph, one day you'll regret this!" The Third and Fifth Elders stood up in frustration and walked out of the sitting room, heading toward the exit.

After the Third and Fifth Elders left, Nie Li and his companions walked in.

"Brother Nie Li, I didn't expect you to come!" Li Xingyun's stern face softened into a hint of a smile.

"Good thing you can still smile," Nie Li said with a chuckle.

"What else am I supposed to do — cry? Looks like you all heard everything outside. But it doesn't matter, just a bit of family embarrassment to give you a laugh." Li Xingyun shrugged. "I wonder what brings Brother Nie Li here. I've already prepared the one hundred thousand Spirit Stones!" He tossed a Space Ring to Nie Li.

Nie Li caught the Space Ring and swept a glance inside — one hundred thousand Spirit Stones were indeed piled within. He smiled faintly. "Aren't you afraid I'll take the money and not deliver?"

"Please. I, Li Xingyun, may not have many talents, but I'm an excellent judge of character. I trust Brother Nie Li!" Li Xingyun laughed heartily.

"What you wanted — I've already gotten it!" Nie Li moved his right hand and tossed a Demon Spirit Stone to Li Xingyun.

"So fast?" Li Xingyun caught it and was stunned for a moment. He had assumed that obtaining a God-tier growth-type dragon blood Demon Spirit would take at least ten days to half a month! He glanced at the Demon Spirit Stone in his hand — it was a Crimson Blood Golden Flood Dragon, a genuine God-tier growth-type dragon blood Demon Spirit.

"And this one is a Mutant variant. Guaranteed to be even stronger than the one Li Yufeng has!" Nie Li said with a smile.

Li Xingyun's right fist clenched slightly tighter. He looked deeply at Nie Li and was silent for a moment before speaking. "I won't waste words on gratitude. Wherever I, Li Xingyun, can be of use, Brother Nie Li need only say the word!"

"I did come here because I need your help. A friend of mine was killed once by Huā Líng's subordinates in the outer Great World. I want you to send me some people — I'm going to wipe them all out." Nie Li looked at Li Xingyun as he spoke.

"Brother Nie Li's friend is my friend. How many men, and when do you need them? Just say the word!" Li Xingyun looked at Nie Li and answered readily.

"At least two hundred. Ideally a few at the Heavenly Star level. I need them the day after tomorrow," Nie Li said.