Smack!

Hearing the loud noise from behind, Le Yu looked over and saw Qian Chanchen being slammed against the wall like a child by the Grand Steward. The ostentatious poison-coated dagger in his hand was actually used by the Grand Steward to stab him. The Raccoon Slave kept his lips tightly shut, glaring fiercely at the Grand Steward without a sound, like a child wronged and beaten.

"Too old, too old, really can't handle this kind of fuss from kids." The Grand Steward let go, leaving Qian Chanchen pinned to the wall by the dagger. The Raccoon Slave tried to reach out to pull the dagger out, but his actions were as slow as lightning on Baidu Cloud, and eventually, his hands drooped down entirely, devoid of speed.

"No need to worry, the poison won't kill him," the Grand Steward said. "Or rather, he won't die so quickly — Galingen mainly causes severe paralysis and sleepiness, but the paralysis can lead to heart failure. Considering this kid's physique, he can last until tomorrow's sunrise."

Le Yu: "That title is so rude. Even I wouldn't call him a brat to his face."

"But he's asleep, isn't he?" laughed the Grand Steward. "To be honest, I've tolerated him for a long time. He's arrogant and boasts a lot. Getting a chance to beat him up is a relief... Do you want to spank him a few times while he's unconscious?"

"Not a bad suggestion. Let me catch you first, then I'll go and spank him." Le Yu struck a starting pose.

"Well... although I have never doubted your combat prowess, Qingle Yin, I know Number Two better. Despite his power dropping to Integration and Mastery level for special reasons, he was previously at the Peak of Perfection. Though he has weaknesses like slow thinking, freeing him must have taken a lot of your effort, right?"

The Grand Steward chuckled, "Do you really still have the strength to fight me?"

"Just as you know Number Two very well, I also know Qian Chanmang's strength," Le Yu replied. "As a mortal enemy, though he is much weaker than I am, he's not a fish to be slaughtered at will — being accomplished in all eighteen Combat Techniques should have given you a lot of trouble too."

"Indeed."

The Grand Steward tore off a sleeve, revealing an arm densely lined with knife scars. "If he hadn't trusted the poison's effectiveness so much, he wouldn't have been so easily caught by me. People always put too much faith in their experience, not realizing their success comes not from experience, but from luck."

"That statement might be too dismissive of the value of accumulated experience."

"Experience is useful, but it's useful not in repetition but in improvement," the Grand Steward glanced at the Iron Mask Man's body. "Just as you used the more advanced Braided Stream to defeat Number Two. Was Number Two less skilled than you? No, he lost due to experience repetition."

"If one doesn't chase time forward, time will devour them; if one doesn't make improvements from experience, they will be blinded by it; if one doesn't renew and rise from the ashes, they will decay into dust. The rise and fall of things are just like this."

"Your speech is quite thought-provoking, Grand Steward. Interested in teaching at the Imperial Academy?"

"Yes, being an academy teacher was the job I wanted most back then. High salary, good benefits, plenty of vacation, and easy work. But rules, interests, and emotions made me carry heavy burdens, having to eat, drink, and stir the clouds..."

"That's really tough for you."

"Isn't it? Otherwise, how could I be this old and still look so young? I took such good care of myself when I was young."

The Grand Steward kicked the other dagger and hand cannon of Qian Chanchen up from the ground into his hands. "Alright, I've rested enough, thanks for respecting the elderly and cherishing the young."

Le Yu wryly smiled, "But I haven't had enough rest yet, can't I..."

"No!"

With an explosive sound, the Grand Steward turned into a flash and approached Le Yu. Though it was just an ordinary Lingxu Step, the Grand Steward's use of it was particularly unique, as light as a dancing swallow.

Desolate Bite!

The ever-so-familiar Desolate Bite came, devouring everything in its path!

However, the Grand Steward sidestepped his attack, the dagger skimming his skin like a water skimmer. Le Yu dared not test which was stronger: Ice Blood or Galingen, he grabbed the Grand Steward's wrist to force him into close combat!

Bang!

With a sudden low-level shot, Le Yu had to change his stance to avoid the bullet, taking the opportunity to execute a Torrential Burst, only for the Grand Steward to dodge and widen the distance.

After brief contact, Le Yu understood why Qian Chanchen couldn't beat him — the Grand Steward was just too slippery and cunning.

He didn't exude the dominion of a thousand horses like the Iron Mask Man, nor was he unknowable as Qingle Yin, nor was he all-powerful like Blue Flame.

If one had to describe it, it was just plain insufferable.

He was adept at disrupting others' Combat Technique rhythms, using terrain tools flexibly, not confined to a single Combat Technique, employing varied moves on a whim. Le Yu felt he wasn't fighting a single person, but getting mobbed by a coordinated team.

Fighting in such a manner demonstrated the Grand Steward's calm demeanor and keen observation. Once he adapted to the Raccoon Slave's combat style, taking down the Raccoon Slave was no big deal — Qian Chanchen's psychological issues were too severe, making calm adversaries his nemesis.

After several exchanges, Le Yu realized he had no advantage. Without hesitation, he seized an opportunity, activating "Veil of Strife" as the two passed each other!

Darkness descended!

Under the slight glow brought by the red headband, Le Yu clawed at the Grand Steward's chest, and amidst the darkness, Desolate Bite and the light explosion roared!

Slice!

"What..."

The darkness dissipated, and Le Yu's palm hadn't pierced the Grand Steward's chest; instead, his hand was punctured by the Grand Steward's dagger! However, he still managed to grab the Grand Steward's fist and, closing in, punched towards the waist acupoint!

The Grand Steward's entire body shuddered, mouth agape as if to wail, yet Le Yu's next strike to his chin completely sealed his words in his throat!

Despite the dagger penetrating his palm, Le Yu clenched his fist tightly, blood dripping, sending the Grand Steward airborne briefly, then leapt high with both fists hammering down on the back of his neck, pinning him to the ground!

Shock Combat Technique: Sunflower Triple Strike!

"It's over!"

Le Yu stepped on the Grand Steward's back, pulling the dagger out and driving it into his shoulder, then used his nails to cut the blood vessel on his right hand, trying to slow the poison's corrosion — he already felt his right hand growing weaker.

"Yes, it's over."

The Grand Steward turned his head slightly, his face unclouded by regret of failure, but calmly watching Le Yu, saying, "Qingle Yin, no one can bully you anymore."

"Qingle Yin, no one can bully you anymore."

These words were like a key, instantly unlocking the long-dormant memories in Le Yu's mind — those precious treasures deeply hidden by Qingle Yin!

Like a piece of ice melting rapidly into the lava, the immense memory fused, causing Le Yu to momentarily lose focus. But when he regained his senses, what appeared before him was a powerful fist!

With a fierce punch, the Grand Steward shattered Qingle Yin's handsome face, grabbing Le Yu's right hand, pulling out a withered yellow piece of paper and placing it on the back of Le Yu's right hand, quickly chanting, "You are the friend of benevolence, the master of evil; you crave the light, hope of darkness; you transcend all truths, the color God painted on the world... The Book of Eternity, may it shine brightly!"

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