Even so, Li Aozi remained quite calm. He approached a young man who did not look like a bladesmith at all, and from him, he requested to buy an exhibit that could not truly be called a ’weapon.’
It was a large bronze greatsword resembling a case, etched all over with dark gold runic inscriptions. The handle was even peeling a bit, with a total length of 1.5 ters. Rather than a sword, it might be better described as a flattened iron bar. However, the craftsmanship was actually quite exquisite, making it suitable as a decorative piece.
The Third Rule transmitted the image back to their nation for expert appraisal. The experts had a good assessnt, "An excellent piece of craftsmanship with a nice value for money; worth at least two million Derby."
"Only two million," snorted an agent of the Third Rule disdainfully.
This was nothing compared to what Liu Wein had picked.
Apart from ’Curtain - Shadow Edge’ and this weapon called ’Dust Sealed Sanctum,’ the rest of the items Li Aozi picked were not of high value.
Moreover, Li Aozi had also paid in advance to purchase these two weapons outright, which was a source of ridicule—this action undoubtedly exposed Li Aozi’s thought process: he believed the eight pieces of junk he picked were more valuable than the two most highly prized items.
"Without a doubt, this is the mindset of a gambler."
"He’s already lost, alas, that poor soul... that’s 190 million Derby there..."
"For soone of such caliber, he probably isn’t short of money; after all, he is Li Aozi."
Li Aozi wheeled his cart up to the judges’ booth and joined Liu Wein in the appraisal process. Compared to the triumphant Liu Wein, even the judges could not help but subtly hint to Li Aozi:
"Your last two weapon choices weren’t bad."
What they ant was, aside from those, the other eight weapons he picked were garbage and not worth a second glance.
"I know, these are my choices. I trust in the craft of the people of Sky Ring."
Li Aozi’s stance was very upfront, causing the judges to shake their heads in defeat. Seeing how adamant Li Aozi was, they began the formal valuation.
First was Li Aozi’s evaluation, which was completed quite quickly. Within a minute, Li Aozi’s total was calculated: 3.3 billion Sky Ring Currency, which roughly translated to about 17 million Derby—an unexpectedly decent outco. One set was undervalued, which led to Li Aozi snagging a bargain worth 7 million Derby.
The two ’Heirloom Masterpiece’ weapons that Li Aozi took a fancy to were also valued together at 9 million Derby.
Li Aozi wasn’t surprised by this result. Mortals were unable to activate and appreciate the value of ’Heirloom Masterpieces.’
Since Li Aozi had already paid for the last two weapons, they were directly handed over to him. The remaining weapons worth 8 million Derby, according to the agreent, would be paid for by the winner.
Next up was Liu Wein’s turn. The judges looked at Li Aozi with sympathy before announcing:
"The Wind Ghost Scythe Weasel Great Bow, along with a set of twenty Jian, totals 20 billion Zhu."
"Famous Blade - Black Autumn Shear Shadow, 9 billion 3916 million Zhu."
"Hundred Eyes Butterfly Combo Knives, 6 billion 9000 million Zhu."
...
"The grand total is 106 billion 8500 million Zhu, Mr. Liu Wein’s new assistant has truly exceptional taste."
Liu Wein received his final evaluation and his lips curled upwards in satisfaction.
The situation was better than he’d anticipated, equivalent to a staggering 5 billion Derby!
"With this, there is no question; I’ve completely won."
He approached Li Aozi and said with intentional mockery:
"I trust that, given the identity and status of a Red Arrow Person, you won’t default on or dodge the debt?"
Li Aozi’s expression remained calm, "I will not."
"Ha, as expected from an Imperial Citizen—every one of you has big mansions and estates. You speak with such flamboyance. To lose a hundred billion and yet not to furrow your brow..."
He spoke and all of a sudden closed the distance, speaking triumphantly:
"Just to remind you, Leo, today we have the Grand Yin Yang Master, Shrine Maidens, and the country’s finest Gamma Rank warriors present. The chances of you ducking out on such a hefty debt are slim, so you might want to consider that possibility."
"Is that so?" Li Aozi smiled. "Are you so certain you’ve won?"
"Well, what else?" Liu Wein spread his hands. "My victory is clear and above board, witnessed by so many—this is power!"
Li Aozi glanced at him, "Aren’t you afraid that your actions will spoil the guests’ perception of the Nine Dragons Gathering? By doing this, you’re telling everyone that the People of Sky Ring have an advantage at such international events and can force others to pay on your behalf—don’t you think that’s a bit shaless?"
"Only cowards care about what others think, and unfortunately for you, I am the strong player in this ga."
Liu Wein’s new assistant snickered, releasing a powerful aura characteristic of peak Beta Rank without reserve. This instinctual dominance caused many onlookers to react defensively, warily watching Liu Wein as if facing a natural predator, full of caution and fear.
He looked down at Li Aozi indifferently:
"I am a top Beta Rank powerhouse, and also a retainer of the Houjo Clan. I am stronger than you in both power and influence, so just pay up obediently, pretty boy. Sky Ring isn’t sowhere you Imperials can just waltz into as you please."
"So you an to say, it’s acceptable for the strong to win using blatantly unfair rules?"
"So what?" Liu Wein was indifferent. "Whatever the strong do can be understood—"
Before Liu Wein could finish, a ring of golden light rapidly spread in Li Aozi’s eyes.
"Kneel."
Thud!
An instantaneous eightyfold increase in gravity overwheld Liu Wein, making his bones unbearably heavy. His frail knees were squashed out of shape on the spot, unable to resist Li Aozi’s command, even a peak Beta Rank Samurai’s body had no chance to fight back.
Liu Wein’s knees smashed into the ground, his clothes clinging tight to his back, crushed by their own weight. His body was nearly flattened, with copious amounts of white vapor bursting from his pores—this was due to the liquids inside his body being unable to withstand the suddenly increased pressure and evaporating out.
"Ugh—"
With his robust physique, Liu Wein did not die on the spot. His eyeballs bulged outward in terror. The gravity pressing down on him aged him by 50 years in an instant. He stared at Li Aozi with a desperate low growl.
"What are you doing?! Don’t tell the Red Arrow Empire doesn’t honor the principle of respecting a wager? Are you just a bunch of dishonorable barbarians after all?"
The Security Guards, witnessing such a drastic turn of events, panicked and imdiately contacted a Gamma Rank Expert.
Seeing this, Liu Wein hurried to stall for ti, continuing to shout:
"This is the sacred Nine Dragons Festival! The Grand Yin Yang Master and the Shrine Maiden are present. The Ring King himself is here! Do you want to completely ruin the image of the Red Arrow Empire?"
Li Aozi lifted his foot and stepped on the fallen head of the other:
"Strange, wasn’t it you who said ’only cowards care about the opinions of others’?"
"You, you can’t stand losing—"
"Losing? Who told you I lost? If I had lost, how could I possibly be standing on the head of a victor like you?"
He tilted his head, Li Aozi naturally turned to the judges and said:
"Judges, the goods I selected are worth 3.3 billion plus 10.6 billion Zhu. It’s obvious that I won."
With a tug of gravity, all the weapons selected by Liu Wein fell at Li Aozi’s feet:
"Mister Liu Wein helped select so many renowned treasures and now he’s even using his head to clean my boots so gracefully. He’s truly kind—brings to tears."
"You!" Liu Wein was dumbfounded.
This was blatant distortion... it was downright robbery!
"May I ask, have I lost?"
Li Aozi spread his hands innocently and said:
"Where did I lose?"
The Third Rule agents were taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, but this developnt also played into their interests, and they began to chuckle amongst themselves.
"Well, this is fine. Let the world see that Li Aozi has always been a barbaric and unreasonable robber!"
Liu Wein, still being stepped on by Li Aozi, attempted to continue his struggle and argue when Li Aozi suddenly said sothing nonsensical:
"Well, I too am a barbarian."
In the next mont, Liu Wein’s neck twisted, and his entire body was flattened to the ground, spread into a thin pancake by the 180-fold gravity. Blood, flesh, and debris slowly seeped into the soil, filling the air with a pungent stench.
The Nine Dragons Gathering fell silent.
Everyone watched Li Aozi, paralyzed by the intense visual shock and pervading scent of blood.
Their first reaction was disbelief: How could soone be killing at Sky Ring’s highest festival?
The second reaction was to run for their lives: How could soone be killing at Sky Ring’s highest festival!
The presence of the Gamma Rank enveloped the venue instantly, and four powerful Thoughts, like torches, locked onto Li Aozi. Even the Third Rule stopped hiding, imdiately sending out a ssage to call for backup.
"Madman!"
Soone noticed Li Aozi’s eyes turning red and black and scread in terror:
"He’s been possessed by Ersha! Run!"
"I’m already here." Li Aozi said with a grin, raising his hand: "Let’s et up before you leave."
[Overseer Form activated]
Red and black crystalline spikes spread out, bone armor weaved like a spider web, quickly extending over his skin. Crimson fissures covered his entire body, which quickly burst into raging flas. Mountains converged into a layer of rock armor that promptly covered his whole body and took on the classical appearance of a Knight’s Plate Armor. Then, the knight’s armor quickly turned the grey-white of death. Tentacles intricately intertwined and wrapped around the joints. On the outside, a layer of stardust-like mist enveloped him.
[Dominate Everything]
"Narrow Space Mirror, I have bought us ti. It’s your turn to make a move."
Li Aozi ordered into the terminal, then lifted his head to look at the sky.
Four Gamma Rank powerhouses rose swiftly into the sky. They didn’t act rashly but cautiously called out: "Li Aozi, you were invited as a guest to our festival, but you’ve gone on a killing spree. You’d better have an explanation!"
"An explanation?" Li Aozi shrugged. He reached out and grabbed two Heirloom Masterpiece weapons:
"Then I’ll tell the truth."
He chuckled and explained in a very honest and gentle tone:
"Gentlen, I actually ca here to rob."
The next mont, Li Aozi pressed a hand down, and all those within a 50-ter radius were crushed to the ground by gravity as he roared:
"Long live the Scavengers! The spirit of Anaerobes lasts forever! Sky Ring Ghosts, your grandfather from the Outer World is here!"
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