Chapter 261: Do You Dare?

Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Do You Dare?

Previously, Yi Xiaoyao hadn’t cared that Yuan Lie took Han Sheng’s body, but that was only on the condition that it wouldn’t interfere with his search for the Secret Collection.

But now, Yuan Lie had taken everything for himself.

This meant that not only had Yi Xiaoyao lost out on the Battle Merits, but he also couldn’t be promoted to Squad Leader and gain access to the Main Pillar. It was now directly affecting his search for the Secret Collection.

So how could Yi Xiaoyao possibly let it slide?

As they spoke, Yi Xiaoyao told the man who had gathered the intel to take him to Yuan Lie.

Seeing this, the other team members were all alarmed and grabbed Yi Xiaoyao to stop him.

"Captain, you can’t do this! Don’t be rash!"

"He’s right, Captain! Yuan Lie is the Young Alliance Leader. Sooner or later, he’ll become the Alliance Leader and take control of the Primordial Evil Alliance. Offending him is a bad idea."

"Exactly. The only reason he dares to pull something like this is because he’s banking on the fact that we won’t dare to cross him."

Although everyone in the Ninth Team was furious, they were still Nascent Soul Realm experts who had fought and survived in the Chaotic Alliance Domain for many years. They knew to keep a clear head in situations like this.

Upon hearing this, Yi Xiaoyao simply narrowed his eyes. ’I never planned on staying in the Primordial Evil Alliance for long anyway,’ he thought. ’As soon as I get the Secret Collection, I’m leaving. Whether or not Yuan Lie becomes the Alliance Leader in the future has no bearing on me.’

But now, thanks to Yuan Lie’s interference, Yi Xiaoyao had no idea when he’d be able to find the Secret Collection.

"Don’t try to stop me. Today, I have to teach that Yuan Lie a lesson!"

Yi Xiaoyao snorted, completely ignoring their pleas, and stormed out of the courtyard.

The team members were all fraught with anxiety and worry. However, after spending this time with him, they had come to trust Yi Xiaoyao completely. So, even knowing they were walking into trouble, they still followed close behind him.

...

On the training grounds, Leng Yan’s face was somewhat pale, as if she’d suffered a significant injury. She frowned slightly as she stared at the dozens of massive vats of wine before her.

"What is all this?"

Leng Yan asked, her gaze fixed coldly on Yuan Lie.

Yuan Lie smiled. "This is Spirit Wine. Every Sub-Pillar is getting some, but I wanted to deliver yours personally."

Then, Yuan Lie raised his voice to the crowd on the training grounds. "Brothers! I killed Han Sheng of the Cold Blood Alliance! The Alliance Leader was going to grant me a generous reward, but I exchanged it all for this incredibly precious Spirit Wine, just to treat you all!"

The moment the rich aroma of the wine wafted across the training grounds, everyone knew it was the finest quality. Hearing Yuan Lie’s words, their faces lit up with joy, and they all began to thank him profusely.

Yuan Lie smiled in satisfaction at their reactions.

’Of course, what I just said isn’t true,’ he thought. ’My father told me to deliver this wine to every Sub-Pillar as a way to curry favor and make it easier to take over the Primordial Evil Alliance in the future.’

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving," Leng Yan said coldly.

Yuan Lie was taken aback. ’What’s with this attitude?’ he thought. ’Shouldn’t she be thanking me?’

"Leng Yan, your injuries... they’re not too serious, are they?"

Yuan Lie asked, his gaze shifting slightly.

"I’m fine," Leng Yan replied.

"Hmph! To think that Han Sheng dared to injure you. But don’t worry, I’ve already avenged you. I’m the one who killed him!"

Yuan Lie deliberately steered the conversation here, then added with a smile, "Yan, from now on, I’ll kill anyone who dares to hurt you. Anyone."

Leng Yan let out a soft, cold laugh. She didn’t believe for a second that Yuan Lie had killed Han Sheng. If he really had that kind of power, she wouldn’t have gotten injured when the two of them were fighting Han Sheng together.

But if Yuan Lie didn’t kill him, then how did Han Sheng die? Leng Yan was filled with doubt, especially since Yuan Lie had, in fact, produced Han Sheng’s body.

Just then, a cold laugh echoed from nearby.

"Squad Leader Yuan Lie, your talent for boasting is truly admirable!"

Everyone froze, stunned. Who would dare to be so disrespectful to Yuan Lie, calling him a boaster in front of so many people?

A cold glint flashed in Yuan Lie’s eyes as well, and he spun around to look.

Not far off, Yi Xiaoyao and the members of the Ninth Team were walking over, their expressions grim.

Yuan Lie’s eyes flickered, and the coldness on his face softened slightly.

Yuan Lie knew that the Ninth Team must have heard something and would inevitably be upset about it. That was to be expected.

"Ah, it’s you lot. I’ve prepared fine wine for everyone. The Ninth Team’s performance was quite good, but you took a bit of a hit on Battle Merits. Therefore, the Ninth Team can take an extra vat of wine to compensate for some of that loss."

Yuan Lie said with a faint smile to Yi Xiaoyao and his men.

The others, who didn’t know the full story, looked on with strange expressions. The Ninth Team had just insulted Yuan Lie, yet he was still "treating them so kindly"?

As for the members of the Ninth Team, they scoffed at Yuan Lie’s conciliatory words.

"An extra vat? What a joke!"

"He stole all those Battle Merits and thinks he can buy us off with a single vat of wine?"

"In his dreams!"

Meanwhile, Yi Xiaoyao just watched Yuan Lie with a cold smirk, as if trying to gauge just how shameless the man could be.

Yuan Lie grew uncomfortable under his gaze. Seeing that Yi Xiaoyao was unmoved, his expression turned cold and grim once more.

"I am in the middle of an important discussion with your Squad Leader. Take your wine and leave. If you interfere, you won’t be able to bear the consequences!"

To an outsider, Yuan Lie’s words would have sounded perfectly normal. But to the members of the Ninth Team, it was a clear threat.

The unspoken message was clear: if Yi Xiaoyao dared to expose the truth about Han Sheng, Yuan Lie would surely retaliate.

But Yi Xiaoyao paid such threats no mind.

"I don’t want the extra wine. I just want Squad Leader Yuan Lie to return what is rightfully mine!"

Yi Xiaoyao said coldly to Yuan Lie. He intentionally used the word "mine," not "ours," to avoid dragging the rest of the Ninth Team into this.

"Return it to you? What do I owe you?"

A baleful Qi erupted from Yuan Lie, and he glared at Yi Xiaoyao with Killing Intent in his eyes.

Seeing Yuan Lie play dumb, Yi Xiaoyao gave a cold smile.

"It seems Squad Leader Yuan Lie has forgotten. In that case, let me help you remember what it is you owe me."

With that, Yi Xiaoyao walked right up to Yuan Lie, meeting him face-to-face.

"I’ve witnessed your skill at boasting. Now I’m curious to see if your strength matches up."

Ignoring the man’s dark expression, Yi Xiaoyao’s voice rang out across the entire training grounds. "Yuan Lie, I’ll ask you one thing: Do you dare to accept my challenge?"

As soon as he spoke, the training grounds erupted.

The three words, "Do you dare," echoed in everyone’s minds.

Because those three words were the ultimate provocation!

If Yuan Lie refused, it would be an admission of cowardice.

Therefore, Yuan Lie had no choice but to accept.

Besides, Yuan Lie had no reason to refuse. He already loathed Yi Xiaoyao and wanted him dead. Since Yi Xiaoyao was handing him the opportunity on a silver platter, how could he possibly pass it up?

"Challenge me? You overestimate yourself, you fool! Fine, I’ll grant your wish!"

Faced with such a challenge, Yuan Lie agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

...