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The first generation Patriarch of the Silver Winged Family had once committed a daring yet awe-inspiring act—implanting the wings of a Silver Winged Thunderbird into his own body. Through bloodline inheritance, these wings were passed down to his most noble descendants. Only those with the purest lineage were able to manifest the legendary silver wings. (Image)
The young woman standing before Nie Li and his companions was one such descendant. A 5-star Gold rank expert, her silver wings glistened faintly in the dim light of the dark realm.
Nie Li, with his A. I. Chip database collection of vast experience and knowledge, immediately stepped forward. Bowing with perfect noble etiquette, he spoke fluently in the Woodland Empire's language, "My friend, nice to meet you. We are travelers from the outside world and have accidentally wandered here. We mean no harm and seek only a way back to our homeland."
As he spoke, Nie Li released a subtle wave of his oppressive soul force. It wasn't enough to physically harm her, but the sheer magnitude of his soul energy was enough to make her very soul tremble.
For a brief moment, the Silver Winged girl felt as though she was being stared down by a primordial demon beast.
Her eyes narrowed with caution as she stepped back, her hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of her silver sword. "Who are you, and where did you come from?" she asked solemnly.
Nie Li's mind worked rapidly. He deduced that the Silver Winged Family must have migrated to this realm during the Age of Darkness when the Woodland Empire was consumed by endless hordes of demon beasts.
"My ancestors hail from the Heavenly Marks Family, a branch of the Black Pearl Clan from the Woodland Empire," Nie Li replied calmly. "During the Age of Darkness, we fled and survived the calamity. By accident, we stumbled into your territory."
"Black Pearl Clan?" The girl's expression revealed confusion. It was clear she had never heard of such a clan. But given the countless factions and families that had flourished during the Woodland empire, and also perished during the Age of Darkness, it wasn't surprising.
Her gaze shifted to the group behind Nie Li. Most were either Gold or Silver rank experts, and her wariness slightly eased. However, when her eyes landed on Xiao Ning'er, an instinctive sense of danger surged within her.
'There are two Silver ranks, two Gold ranks, and two whose strength I cannot fathom,' she thought. 'If they truly were spies from another family, no one would send such young geniuses into our territory. Perhaps… they really are from the outside world.'
After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Ever since my ancestors migrated here, we've been isolated from the outside world. We cannot return to the original mainland and can only survive in this dark realm. I will inform my father of your arrival. Follow me."
Nie Li nodded. "Alright."
As they began following her deeper into the territory, Lu Piao whispered, "Nie Li, what's going on?"
Nie Li replied in a low voice, "I told her we're from the outside world. We're heading to meet her father. Hopefully, we can secure the Stones of Light we need with their help, without unnecessary conflict. But if they play any games… I'll crush them."
Lu Piao shuddered slightly. He knew that when Nie Li's tone turned cold, it meant blood would flow.
Cao Wang stepped forward to come close to Nie Li, but Nie Li waved his hands.
"Cao Wang," Nie Li said, "stay with the others. Your defensive ability is the best amongst them. If anything happens, protect them. Ning'er and I will handle the fight if it comes to that."
Cao Wang nodded solemnly and took a protective position.
The Silver Winged girl, listening to the unfamiliar language glanced at Nie Li and his group with annoyance. Nie Li also turned his attention to her and smiled, suddenly she felt a chill run down her spine.
Despite her status as a 5-star Gold rank expert, she was certain that except for her father, no body in the family would be able to handle this terrifying young man.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Nie Li," he replied. "My companions don't speak the Woodland Empire's language. I hope you won't take their silence as disrespect."
"I understand," Hongyue replied, though in her heart, she was already considering using the weaker members as hostages if things turned hostile.
Nie Li easily saw through her intentions but chose not to confront her. He allowed her to lead them deeper into the Silver Winged Family's territory. Along the way, he noticed her using subtle hand signals to alert nearby clan members.
"Are there other families from the Age of Darkness trapped in this realm as well?" Nie Li inquired.
Sikong Hongyue's eyes grew colder, but she answered, "Yes. In these dark mountains, thirteen ancient families from various fallen empires survive. The strongest among them is our Silver Winged Family."
After a long walk, they arrived at a magnificent palace supported by towering ancient trees. The walls rose dozens of meters high, emanating a heavy and oppressive aura. (Image)
The group followd followed behind Sikong Hongyue and entered the palace. After passing through many corridors, they finally entered into one of the spacious halls.
As they stepped into the grand hall, a brutal scene greeted them.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
The sound of a whip echoed through the hall.
A young man with dark wings was tied to one of the massive stone pillars. His body was covered in blood and open wounds from relentless whipping. Despite the agony, the youth bit his lips and refused to let out a single cry of pain. (Image)
Lu Piao and Xiao Xue gasped in horror. Even Du Ze, Cao Wang and Ning'er frowned at the cruelty. The image of Silver Winged family falling further in their hearts.
Only Nie Li's expression remained cold and indifferent, as if the tortured youth wasn't even human in his eyes.
Sikong Hongyue noticed everyone's expression feeling disdain in her heart, but Nie Li's lack of empathy made her wary.
"I apologize for showing you such an unsightly scene," she said, though her tone lacked any real remorse.
Nie Li asked indifferently, "Who is he?"
"Hmph," Sikong Hongyue sneered. "A bastard born from the union of my Silver Winged Family's woman and a man from the Black Dragon Family. After we hunted his parents down, we've been slowly torturing him to death."
Her words were filled with venom and hatred.
Nie Li's gaze briefly flickered to the bloodied youth. There was a stubborn and unyielding fire in the boy's eyes, one that reminded Nie Li of himself in his previous life.
Nie Li turned back to Sikong Hongyue and said calmly, "Your Silver Winged Family's traditions are… quite unique."
Hongyue felt a strange pressure from Nie Li's words but chose to ignore it.
In her eyes, the bastard's suffering was justified. In Nie Li's eyes, however, the Silver Winged Family had just revealed their greatest weakness—their arrogance and cruelty.
'If they refuse to cooperate, I'll erase this family from existence,' Nie Li thought coldly.
"Come," Sikong Hongyue said. "My father is waiting."
As they proceeded toward the throne room, Nie Li's mind was already formulating countless strategies, calculating both diplomacy and annihilation.
He would either secure the Stones of Light through negotiation…
Or he would drown the Silver Winged Family in blood.
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