Original and most updated translations are from volare. Please don't read elsewhere and stop supporting theft.

　　TL: Zhao

　　Editing: Krisaia

　　Li Yiming had high expectations as he looked at Yun Yiyuan. His heart had just skipped a beat, yet he did not know whether it was due to excitement, stress, or fear. Whatever it was, it was no doubt some kind of emotion.

　　"What?" Yun Yiyuan had already guessed that Li Yiming's showing up could only mean trouble, but he did not expect him to challenge him right at the heart of his organization.

　　"If I win, he's coming with me. If not, then I'll stay here. I might've used too many tricks to defeat you last time. I want to see how far I am away from the invincible spear now." Li Yiming said as he looked at the gla.s.s roof of the main hall, through which the stars of the night poured down a waterfall of silvery light.

　　During their previous fight, Li Yiming had won on the back of a suicidal attack. This time around, he was back to being on even footing with Yun Yiyuan, and he was eager to see the difference in strength between them. Most importantly, he had a feeling that if he were to fight him, he would be able to feel something again, and he was not going to give up this opportunity.

　　The challenge that Li Yiming had declared was certainly abrupt, and all the guardians around the two could not help but feel shocked. What astounded them even more was the fact that Yun Yiyuan did not even deny being defeated by Li Yiming.

　　"So? What is it going to be? A duel or a group fight? You've seen what I'm capable of at the Music Festival. Being outnumbered means nothing to me," Li Yiming pressed on as his thirst for combat grew.

　　'What?! Challenging all of us at once? Did he really defeat the invincible Yun Yiyuan in a duel before?'

　　The thought ran through the minds of many onlooking guardians. Only a man with absolute confidence in his abilities would challenge Yun Yiyuan himself right at the heart of his base of operations.

　　Yet Yun Yiyuan, unlike his underlings, was sharp enough to perceive that something had changed in Li Yiming. It was hard to describe, but he emitted an aura unlike any sage he knew — it was different from Stargaze's detachment, Li Huaibei's confidence, Wu Yun's resolution, or Aunt Wu's mysteriousness. Rather, it was as if a piece of Li Yiming was missing.

　　'And yet he dares challenge me? What is he thinking?' Yun Yiyuan suddenly turned his head toward a deserted corner of the hall. 'Wu Yun… No wonder he's so fearless…'

　　Just as Yun Yiyuan hesitated, Fangs suddenly emitted a savage roar and leaped toward Li Yiming. He transformed midair into a humanoid creature many times his usual size. If Li Yiming could make Yun Yiyuan hesitate on letting him be seized, then his only chance at not being apprehended was to provoke a fight and drag as many people as he could against Li Yiming.

　　Terror flashed on Lin Lu's face as she reached for her gun out of habit, only to realize that she did not bring it along.