The Sudden Change

Following his command, over thirty disciples dressed in fine clothes rushed out from the main hall.

Not a single person spoke a word. They silently set up the deathmatch enclosure on the open ground before the hall using wooden stakes and rope. From their practiced movements, it was clear they were all highly trained—no ordinary low-level disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

As the arena took shape, Li Feiyu grew restless and asked Han Li, “Are we just going to stay hidden here, doing nothing while they fight? That doesn’t seem right!”

“What’s not right about it? Your little sweetheart isn’t in any danger yet; she’s perfectly safe. Once their duel is over, we’ll take advantage of the chaos as the Wild Wolf Gang retreats to sneak Miss Zhang out. Then the two of you can fly far away—find somewhere they won’t find you and hide. That way, the higher-ups won’t be able to use you as a scapegoat and make you carry a black pot you can’t bear.” Han Li spoke indifferently, clearly possessing little sense of belonging to the Seven Mysteries Sect.

“That’s elopement! No way—Xiu’er won’t agree to that!” Li Feiyu shook his head like a rattle-drum.

“Then knock her out and take her by force. Once the rice is cooked, she won’t have a choice,” Han Li replied matter-of-factly.

“You…” Li Feiyu was so angered by Han Li’s words that he stared with wide eyes, speechless.

While the two were entangled in their argument, Sect Leader Wang solemnly received two blood-red documents from a disciple—the life-death contracts. He kept one copy for himself and had the other delivered to Jia Tianlong across the field.

Jia Tianlong’s expression also turned grave as he accepted the document. He carefully opened it, cautiously scanned its contents, and only nodded after confirming there were no issues. Then he closed the contract and began selecting his death warriors.

After some screening, he picked thirteen elite experts from the Wild Wolf Gang. To minimize losses, he also selected a dozen or so skilled fighters from the smaller and medium gangs. Whether these people were willing to contribute or not—once they signed the life-death contract, they would have to fight for their lives. As for the remaining candidates, they were entirely composed of his close Iron Guards, who were skilled in coordination. And of course, the Brilliant Gold Elder would also be participating; Jia Tianlong was counting entirely on this man’s Flying Sword Art to display its might.

While Jia Tianlong was busy, Wang Juechu had returned to the stone hall at some point and had yet to emerge, presumably racking his brains over his own selection of deathmatch participants.

Just as the deathmatch arena was fully completed, Sect Leader Wang finally emerged from the hall with three to four hundred people in tow.

These people were a mix of old and young, male and female, but every single pair of eyes shone with fierce light, and their steps were steady—clearly the elite of the Seven Mysteries Sect. What drew Jia Tianlong’s attention the most were the three individuals walking closely behind Wang Juechu.

One was dressed in flowing Confucian robes, his face full of scholarly refinement—a scholar’s bearing. Another was tall and burly, his chest bare and his face covered in steel-needle-like bristly whiskers, appearing exceptionally fierce. The last was a gray-clothed man with a sword strapped to his back, his face cold and hard.

At first glance, these three seemed to be middle-aged men in their thirties or forties. But upon closer inspection, their brows and eyes carried a kind of weathered, age-worn quality only seen in men in their seventies or eighties, suggesting that their actual age was far greater than their appearance indicated.

Jia Tianlong understood in his heart that these three were certainly Wang Juechu’s three martial uncles. It seemed the other side had truly staked everything on keeping him here.

With this thought, he turned sideways, pointed at the three men, and said to the dwarf Brilliant Gold Elder beside him, “Elder, what do you think of those three? Can you handle them?”

“Just a few mortals. Once my flying sword comes out, their lives are over! What’s there to worry about? Or could it be that you don’t trust me?” The Brilliant Gold Elder glared, displeasure written all over his face, his tone turning harsh.

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! I was just asking casually. Please don’t let it bother you, Immortal Master.” Jia Tianlong quickly put on a fawning smile, terrified of offending his greatest asset at this moment.

“Hmph!” The dwarf’s anger subsided somewhat at these words.

Only then did Jia Tianlong relax. This great immortal was truly difficult to serve!

He let out a bitter, silent laugh, then quickly turned around and shouted in a loud voice, “Are you ready? Begin signing the life-death contracts!”

With this roar, those participating in the deathmatch on the Wild Wolf Gang’s side solemnly wrote down their names on the life-death documents, signing the death contracts to display their fighting spirit.

At the same time, Wang Juechu was not to be outdone. He gave a cold order: “Sign the life-death contracts!”

Instantly, several dozen pre-selected death warriors stepped out from the Seven Mysteries Sect’s ranks, ready to sign the contracts as well.

As these people emerged, Han Li naturally fixed his gaze on them, wanting to see if any familiar faces were among the crowd. He also caught sight of the Sect Leader’s three martial uncles, but paid them no mind—a quick glance and he moved on—instead settling his gaze on an old man in blue robes.

The moment he saw the old man’s face, Han Li couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp: “Elder Li!”

This was the very Elder Li whose life Han Li had saved—Ma Rong’s master. He was actually one of the deathmatch participants. This was completely unexpected.

Recovering his composure, Han Li quickly turned and slapped Li Feiyu hard on the shoulder, saying, “Did you see that? Elder Li is there too! He’s going to sign the life-death contract!”

Li Feiyu stood frozen, not moving an inch. He stared into the distance as if he hadn’t heard a word, his expression utterly wooden.

“Hey! What’s wrong?” Han Li asked, surprised.

“Even if Elder Li is signing the death contract, there’s no need to look like that!” he remarked, puzzled.

Hearing this, Li Feiyu finally withdrew his gaze. He stared blankly at Han Li and said something that made Han Li momentarily lose focus.

“Xiu’er… Xiu’er, she’s there too. She’s also going to take part in the life-death duel!”

After saying this, Li Feiyu’s face instantly turned ghastly pale.