You All Come at Once, I'm in a Hurry!

"So it was Great Hero Duan." Li Qi's face was piled with smiles, his tone carrying a hint of obsequiousness. "To receive Great Hero Duan's aid this time, Li is truly blessed beyond three lifetimes. So long as Great Hero Duan can help me ascend to the position of family head, Li is willing to give everything he has as thanks."

"No need for courtesy. This is merely a transaction." Zhou Qing paid no mind to Li Qi's fawning and said blandly, "You give me a first-rate internal art, and I'll fight for you."

At those words, Li Qi's smile widened further, and he hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes, yes, Great Hero Duan is right. This is a fair transaction, and Li naturally understands. Once the contest is over, Li will respectfully present our family's inherited first-rate internal art with both hands."

As the saying went, a son did not feel the pain of selling his father's fields.

No matter how much the Li Family's ancestors had paid to obtain that first-rate internal art, to Li Qi, so long as he could become family head, any price was worth paying.

Besides, even if he passed down the family's inherited internal art to outsiders, it would only cost some paper and ink. There would not be any substantial loss.

Elsewhere.

The other five legitimate sons of the Li Family all changed expression upon learning that Li Qi had actually invited a First-rate Martial Artist who had mastered Sword Momentum.

No matter how hard they thought, they could not understand what benefits Li Qi had promised to persuade a First-rate Martial Artist to take action.

Before a First-rate Martial Artist, the helpers they had hired all appeared lacking in confidence, their faces filled with fear.

After all, the gap between a First-rate Martial Artist and a Second-rate Martial Artist was the difference between heaven and earth—a chasm impossible to cross.

At this moment, Li Xu, the Li Family's third-ranked legitimate son, arrived at a side room. Standing respectfully before a man, he said, "Lord Emissary, my sixth brother somehow hired a First-rate Martial Artist who has mastered Sword Momentum. There may be an unexpected complication in the contest three days from now."

"With this emissary here, there will be no unexpected complications. The position of Li Family head will certainly be yours, so rest assured." The man's words brimmed with confidence. "A mere First-rate Martial Artist who has mastered Sword Momentum is not worth this emissary's notice. In the contest three days from now, this emissary will personally take action and let him know what a true gap in strength is."

Having received the man's assurance, Li Xu immediately revealed a delighted expression. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Many thanks, Lord Emissary. Xu will certainly remember Lord Emissary's immense kindness. Once I become the Li Family head, I will follow Lord Emissary's lead in all things."

"Go."

The man waved his hand.

Li Xu respectfully withdrew from the side room.

Though this emissary came from the Fire Worship Cult, he had no choice.

If he had not cooperated with the other party, he would already be dead. He could only walk this road into darkness.

If Zhou Qing had been here, he would have recognized that the Fire Worship Cult emissary Li Xu spoke of was Wang Yan, the Black Lotus Emissary he had met before.

The Fire Worship Cult had already extended its tentacles into Wanzhou.

Three days passed in a flash.

On the day of the contest, the entire Li Family gathered together, and the atmosphere was tense and solemn.

Aside from the Li Family, many factions from Qingyan Prefecture City had also sent representatives to witness this highly anticipated contest.

After all, whichever legitimate son's powerful reinforcement won would become the next head of the Li Family.

The Li Family's martial arena was abuzz with voices.

Representatives from countless factions gathered together, talking among themselves.

Their gazes were all fixed upon the fighting platform, awaiting the exciting showdown about to unfold.

"Very well, everyone, please quiet down. Today is the day of our Li Family's internal contest to determine the successor to the position of family head. Thank you all for honoring us with your presence."

On the stage, the Li Family's First Elder spoke in a loud, robust voice.

As the Li Family's First Elder spoke, the martial arena immediately fell silent. He continued, "The rules are simple. The six legitimate sons will come forward and draw lots. Each will send three martial artists onto the stage to compete. Of course, if one believes himself strong enough, he may fight all three matches alone as well. The side that wins two out of three rounds shall be the victor.

The three victorious legitimate sons will then enter a round-robin contest.

Whoever has the most victories shall become the next head of the Li Family.

Now, begin!"

As his words fell, the six legitimate sons of the Li Family prepared to step forward and draw lots.

Yet a figure appeared on the fighting platform before they could.

That person was Zhou Qing.

His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, sweeping across everyone present before he spoke. "Having everyone draw lots and fight one by one is too troublesome. All of you, come at once. I alone will face every martial artist under the other five legitimate sons of the Li Family."

The moment those words emerged, the entire venue erupted in uproar.

"This man is the First-rate Martial Artist recruited by the Li Family's Sixth Young Master."

"That's right. I heard his name is Duan Shui Liu, and he has mastered Sword Momentum. Who knows what price the Li Family's Sixth Young Master paid to invite a First-rate Martial Artist?"

"With a First-rate Martial Artist taking action, there is no suspense in this contest at all."

The guests watching from all around began discussing it, their words filled with reverence for a First-rate Martial Artist.

Clang!

At that moment, everyone heard the cry of a sword.

On the fighting platform, Zhou Qing circulated the Great White Golden Gang Art and unleashed his Sword Momentum.

Everyone present "saw" an incomparably sharp, fierce sword appear above Zhou Qing's head, capable of cleaving through all things.

Though the sword was illusory, it exuded a palpitating aura, as if it could sever every obstacle in the world.

"What powerful Sword Momentum!"

"This Sword Momentum is far from ordinary. It is stronger than the Power of Momentum of most First-rate Martial Artists I have seen. It has at least reached the major accomplishment realm."

"Sword Momentum at major accomplishment—doesn't that mean this Duan Shui Liu is a Peak First-rate Martial Artist?"

"A Peak First-rate Martial Artist... How exactly did the Li Family's Sixth Young Master befriend such a person? Even if the Li Family Old Ancestor personally came forward, he might not be able to invite a Peak First-rate Martial Artist."

The guests beneath the stage all revealed looks of shock.

They had not expected this swordsman named Duan Shui Liu to be a Peak First-rate Martial Artist who had cultivated his Sword Momentum to the major accomplishment realm.

At this moment, Zhou Qing on the stage seemed to have transformed into a peerless sword. Fierce Sword Qi swirled around him as his sword-like gaze fell upon the martial artists under the other five legitimate sons of the Li Family. He said blandly, "You all come at once. I'm in a hurry."

As he spoke, Zhou Qing's aura rose once more. The illusory sword above his head emitted an even more intimidating radiance, as though it could turn solid at any moment and strike down everything that dared block its edge.

At the sight of this, the martial artists under the other five legitimate sons all changed expression. Before a First-rate Martial Artist, they had no chance of victory.

Even if they all went up together, it would be the same.

Against a First-rate Martial Artist, ordinary human-wave tactics were nearly useless.

For a time, no one dared take the first step forward.

"If no one dares take the stage, then the victor of this contest shall be Duan Shui Liu, and Li Qi shall become the next family head."

Seeing this, the Li Family's First Elder prepared to announce the result.

"Wait!"

However, just as the Li Family First Elder's words were about to fall, a figure suddenly appeared atop the fighting platform like a ghost.