Soon, the competition time was set for that very night. To maximize the dramatic effect, Victor even spread the news throughout the streets and alleys of Commorragh; everyone learned that this "uninvited guest" dared to challenge Victor's dominion with his own soul.
The main arena in Commorragh was packed, with spectators excitedly discussing the event. At this moment, Li Feng, Malys, and Victor sat in the arena's VIP seats, overlooking the entire stadium.
Li Feng was now experiencing what it meant to have a "Roman flair"; this kind of arena was indeed full of hormones and dopamine, making people want to shout loudly or place bets.
It must be said that Lelith, as the arena's star attraction and manager, had everything running smoothly, even the lighting within the venue was meticulously adjusted, and there were various sound facilities and decorations.
After the lights dimmed, Victor, as the host, made his entrance. He wore a magnificent black robe, holding a scepter studded with spirit stones, and his voice resonated throughout the venue:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to 'Cain's (Aeldari God of War) Gambit'! Today, we will witness an unprecedented wager—a mon-keigh who has traveled countless miles to challenge the supreme authority of Commorragh."
The crowd should have erupted in laughter and mockery, perhaps even throwing garbage directly at Li Feng's location... "Is this monkey crazy?"
"Ha, this Gladiator match will probably be over in less than five minutes."
However, such a thing did not happen, because the news of Li Feng's arrival had already spread throughout the streets and alleys. Everyone knew the caliber of the individual challenging Victor; he was a "friend of the emperor," making Li Feng akin to a "demigod," someone who could sit at the same table as the Goddess of Life Isha or the Laughing God Cegorach.
Victor raised his hand and then continued, "According to the rules of this competition, both sides will send out their respective five-person teams to participate in each round of challenges."
At this point, a slight smile played on his lips, and his gaze swept towards Li Feng: "So, let's first see what kind of caliber the challenger's team is."
...A few hours ago, Malys's mansion.
Li Feng was currently in Malys's room, the two engaged in a secret conversation. Downstairs, in the mansion's main hall, the Death God Army and Li Feng's people were discussing the upcoming Gladiator match.
Grefax was very worried at this moment. As an Inquisitor of the Imperium, no matter how "unorthodox" Li Feng, this friend of the emperor, appeared, he was still an important figure in the current Imperium.
If he lost, and the soul of the Imperium's top figure was taken by a perverted xeno Archon, that would be insane. Therefore, she had volunteered earlier, offering herself and Celestine as combatants for Li Feng's side.
As for Eliette, her combat power was... well, let's just forget it. And now, they still lacked two participants, so Grefax had no choice but to pin her hopes on the Death God Army, hoping that these Aeldari, who had an intention to cooperate with humans, would lend a hand.
On the Aeldari side, it was a chaotic mess of Aeldari chatter. Due to the sudden Gladiator match, Lelith, as Victor's arena manager, naturally had to return to Victor's side to fight as a Gladiator.
At this time, the old Aeldari seers all stated that the mon-keigh was crazy to choose to cooperate with a woman like Malys. Malys's reputation was actually worse than Victor's.
If Victor was a businessman with a twisted sense of humor, everything he did was for profit, and while he had some twisted tastes, his actions were still logical. Then Malys was a pure, self-gratifying madwoman; everything she did was for her own ambition and self-satisfaction.
But there was no way around it; this world was never about right or wrong, but about power and interests. Even with all her flaws, Malys was still one of the "shareholders" of the Death God Army.
And Victor had no good feelings for the Death God Army whatsoever, even wishing to dispose of them as quickly as possible.
Yvraine could only hope that Li Feng would win this wager and then kick Victor out of his position as Archon of Commorragh.
Whether Li Feng intended to claim the position of Archon of Commorragh for himself or let Malys become the new Archon... for their Death God Army, Victor was not important; Victor's absence was what mattered... In Malys's boudoir,
Malys was changing her clothes, attended by several maids. As a "delicate Aeldari girl," she naturally wore different outfits for different occasions.
And at this moment, Malys had no reservations, changing directly in front of Li Feng.
"Mr. Li, I didn't expect... you to be so bold and skilled. I am very much looking forward to how you will... defeat Victor."
Li Feng was sitting on the sofa in Malys's room at this moment. He had always been curious: weren't all Aeldari flat? Why did Malys have a chest? Now he knew... Malys was wearing a corset that looked like a torture device, and several maids were desperately pulling the laces of the corset, forcefully tightening Malys's waist, creating a "cleavage" above.
"Since it's so easy, shouldn't we renegotiate the price?"
Hearing Li Feng talk about the price, Malys showed no anger, only saying with her usual elegance: "Although I'm not very fond of this kind of last-minute price negotiation, I don't mind hearing your new demands..."
"I know you have the STC for the panacea here. I hope you can return it to its rightful owner."
Hearing "panacea," Malys smiled and turned to look at Li Feng, noticing his gaze was fixed on her wardrobe.
"It sounds like you know the panacea is with me~"
With a subtle smile on her lips, Malys slowly walked towards Li Feng, her tone languid with a hint of challenge:
"Mr. Li, I must say, your intelligence work is very thorough. The STC for the panacea is not just any ordinary item; within our Aeldari circles, it has even become something of an 'urban legend.'"
Li Feng put down his teacup, meeting Malys's gaze calmly:
"Legend or fact, this item shouldn't be here with you. It's the crystallization of human wisdom and should be returned to its rightful owner. If I'm not mistaken, you snatched it from some unlucky Imperial exploration team, didn't you?"
Malys chuckled softly, then turned and walked towards her wardrobe. Her intricate and luxurious gown swayed gently with her movements, each step exuding an innate elegance.
She casually pulled open one of the wardrobe doors; the contents were dazzling, adorned with decorations and jewels like a miniature museum.
"Mr. Li, I must say, the STC for the panacea is indeed in my hands. However, 'returned to its rightful owner'? Haha, that phrase sounds a bit comical when applied to your kind."
"Oh? Then what do you think, is it worth trading it for Victor's position?" Li Feng still smiled, but his gaze became sharper, like a sword ready to pierce through the opponent's psychological defenses at any moment.
Malys paused, seemingly carefully weighing the import of that statement. After a moment, she turned around, her smile deepening: "I have to admit, your proposal is very interesting. If you can truly make that madman Victor disappear from the history of Commorragh, I might consider granting your request."
"That's more like it," Li Feng stood up, tidying his jacket, a cynical smile playing on his lips, "Since it's a cooperation, there must be sincerity. Don't worry, I won't disappoint you."
Malys watched Li Feng leave, her gaze gradually deepening. She gently raised her hand, touched her lips, and murmured, "Li Feng, what kind of storm will you stir up? It's truly something to look forward to."
After leaving the room, Li Feng clicked his tongue... but as he turned the corner, he looked back at Malys's boudoir again.
Anyway, Sanguinius said to have Khan and Russ bring people to find him. Malys was no longer useful to Li Feng; this Archon duel was purely for amusement before his barbarian brothers arrived.
However, Li Feng suddenly thought... in the original storyline, after Cadia exploded, Abaddon seemed to have brought people to Commorragh to burn, kill, and loot... "I wonder if Brother Dun will come~"
He revealed a smile... a smile of preparing to pull off a scam.
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