Engaging Serenity Hassan

The First Generation Old Man of the Mountain had long resided in a secluded valley. Even the successive generations of Hassans and their followers were unaware of the First Generation's true appearance, nor could they prove its existence. All they knew was that it was a legendary assassin who would appear to sever the head of the current Hassan when they strayed from the path.

But Li Ye knew the First Generation Old Man of the Mountain was real.

The First Generation Old Man of the Mountain was the origin of the Assassin class and had a profound connection with Azrael, the angel of death. No one understood death better than it!

If he could obtain the Assassin lineage and the "Death" attribute, Li Ye believed his Eyes of Death Perception and assassination skills would advance further.

This was why Li Ye was searching for refugees. He intended to use the refugees to find the Old Man of the Mountain Order and, through them, meet the First Generation Old Man of the Mountain!

It was rumored that anyone who confronted the Old Man of the Mountain would be killed by their "own destiny."

Li Ye was gambling that he would survive after meeting the Old Man of the Mountain, believing his fate would not end there!

"That's impossible!!"

Serenity Hassan refused without a second thought.

Not only did it go against her own teachings, but more importantly, she didn't even know if the First Generation existed.

"Miss Serenity, as long as you lead me to the Temple of Azrael, I can protect the people you wish to protect, ensuring they won't suffer this fate in the future—" Li Ye cut to the chase, pointing at the Ansari family.

Upon hearing this, Serenity Hassan's gaze swept over the Ansari family. Their weathered faces, looking as if they hadn't eaten in days and were starving to the bone, plunged her into silence.

In the current land, the Crusaders had destroyed most of the habitable areas, leaving countless people displaced and suffering hardships.

"What do you mean by that?"

Serenity Hassan wasn't swayed by Li Ye's words and instead found a point of contention: "You said the Crusaders have been annihilated, so why would the people of this land need protection in the future? They can be self-sufficient."

"Of course, to be protected from the disaster of the Lion King. In the Lion King's future, these people won't be needed. Not everyone possesses a holy soul, and what I can do is deceive the Lion King and give them a path to survival."

"What!!"

Serenity Hassan hadn't forgotten that the man before her claimed to be a knight of the Lion King, and she questioned him angrily, "Then what are you fighting for?!"

She couldn't confirm the annihilation of the Crusaders, but she certainly wouldn't bring Li Ye to her village based solely on his word!

"For the salvation of humanity!"

Li Ye raised his greatsword, his expression fanatical. As he spoke, he began to believe his own words.

"Therefore! Hassan-i-Sabbah is necessary! Miss Serenity, why are you unwilling to believe me? Why do you think there's still room for debate!"

BOOM!!

Crimson magical energy erupted, a terrifying aura like that of a dragon awakening surged into the sky. His black hair whipped around as Li Ye's gem-like magical eyes transformed into vertical pupils, staring directly at Serenity Hassan!!

Cold, merciless.

This was Serenity Hassan's sole impression of Li Ye at that moment. The slightly unhinged humanity he had shown earlier was gone, replaced by a completely inhuman existence!

This was the first time Li Ye had unleashed his full power after receiving the Lion King's blessing, pushing his magical energy to its limit without reservation. His Dragon Blood boiled, and his inhuman nature completely overwhelmed his humanity in his strongest state!

"One last time, Miss Serenity. Will you abandon the Ansari family and the other people living on this land, or will you agree to this deal!"

Li Ye felt the surging magical power flowing through him with ease, a perfect fusion. Immense life force was contained within this body, and his physical attributes like strength had all increased!

At this moment, he was confident he could withstand the poison and forcibly capture Serenity Hassan!

Silence. A silence that lasted for more than ten seconds.

Li Ye ultimately did not receive Serenity Hassan's answer. He saw her figure shift slightly, Before that—

THUD!

The crimson magical energy that enveloped Li Ye suddenly contracted. Li Ye shot forward, closing the distance to Serenity Hassan in an instant!

WHOOSH—

A pale purple mist billowed towards him. Just as Serenity Hassan's slender form was about to disappear into the mist, SLASH!

His sword cut through the air, piercing the line of death. The moment Serenity Hassan released her poison, Li Ye killed that cloud of poison!

"What!"

Seeing the poison dissipate, Serenity Hassan didn't have time to react before Li Ye grabbed her nearly vanished form and slammed her heavily against a stone pillar behind her!

Li Ye knew very well that Serenity Hassan's ability to conceal her presence was extremely powerful, so he would never give her a chance to disappear again!

"Miss Serenity! The world's changes now far exceed your imagination!"

Li Ye gripped Serenity Hassan's face tightly, smashing her head against the stone pillar again and again. Even as the poison entered his body through contact with his palm, he was fearless!

His Dragon Blood surged and boiled even more fiercely.

The mere poison was devoured the moment it entered his body!

The changes brought about by the full activation of his Dragon Blood were not limited to this. Li Ye could feel his mental structure shifting, viewing the world with a colder, more fanatical perspective!

This feeling was incredibly exhilarating!

BOOM!

As Serenity Hassan struggled, Li Ye twisted and flung her away, sending her crashing through several stone pillars before she finally stopped!

"Serenity Hassan! Even someone like me is just the weakest knight under the Lion King! The other Knights of the Round Table are far above me! They commit slaughter, and how many people can you save each time!"

Li Ye strode forward, severing death lines and toppling stone forests wherever he went!

Serenity Hassan's figure vanished into the stone forest. Now that Li Ye was away from the Ansari family, Serenity Hassan revealed her true self to deal with him!

Poison gas with a diameter of nearly thirty meters filled the stone forest!

"Useless!"

Li Ye casually swung his sword, and with a clang, all was purified.

The moment the poison gas dissipated, Li Ye once again pinpointed Serenity Hassan's location, the death line guiding his path!

While Li Ye couldn't match Serenity Hassan in speed, his burst power was superior!

His charging figure was like a crimson lightning bolt, streaking through the stone forest and instantly catching up to Serenity Hassan. The moment they clashed, an incredibly fierce battle erupted!

Li Ye, who had transformed like a dragon, made each of his attacks difficult for Serenity Hassan to parry, but Serenity Hassan's extreme agility made it hard for Li Ye to land a decisive blow!

After a few exchanges, Serenity Hassan managed to create distance, avoiding direct confrontation with Li Ye.

"Serenity Hassan!"

Li Ye didn't pursue further. Instead, he gazed at the eyes behind the bone mask and said with a firm tone, "I must meet the First Generation. For that, I've offered all my sincerity—my identity, my strength, my conditions. Serenity Hassan, what do you feel is still lacking?"

Not far away, Serenity Hassan's body tensed. It wasn't just the red dragon aura Li Ye was exuding, but also those peculiar magical eyes that made her feel the dread of imminent death!

"Or, perhaps we could travel together and see what this land will face now."

Seeing that Serenity Hassan still showed no sign of agreement, Li Ye understood that this couldn't go on. A fight to the death would only shift his alignment, and then he truly wouldn't be able to meet the First Generation Old Man of the Mountain.

Since that was the case, and adhering to the principle of "seeing is believing," Li Ye decided to let Serenity Hassan witness the actions of Gawain and the others.

Then, his conditions would carry weight. Even if it was only a superficial credibility.

"Of course, Serenity Hassan, you don't have to go. I can take the Ansari family and slowly find your village. The Temple of Azrael should be in the mountains beyond the East Village, right?"

Faced with Li Ye's blatant threat, even Serenity Hassan couldn't help but be moved. She currently had no confidence in rescuing the Ansari family from Li Ye's hands. "I hope you won't lie to me—"

"Of course—"

Seeing Serenity Hassan finally relent, Li Ye calmed the dragon blood within him, and his humanity returned.

Phew, that was exhausting!

At this moment, Li Ye only felt depleted of magic and overly fatigued. It seemed the price of his active dragon blood was doubled magic consumption. When his Great Source conversion couldn't keep up, he began to consume his life force to generate magic.

However, it was still within Li Ye's acceptable range.

After confirming Serenity Hassan's intentions, Li Ye turned his head and shouted towards the trembling Ansari family in the distance, "Mr. Ansari! Please accompany me!"

As long as the Ansari family remained by Li Ye's side, he wouldn't worry about Serenity Hassan leaving.