I am destroying the protagonist in the fantasy world!

Chapter 163: The family's letter of challenge arrives, and the brave will rise to the challenge

It was late at night, and everything was silent. Inside the inn room, the dim candlelight flickered, illuminating the faces of Lei Yi and Dongfang Liuli, adding a touch of warmth and tranquility to them.

Suddenly, a rapid knock on the door broke the silence of the night. Lei Yi stood up alertly and asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"

"Sir, someone outside the door brought a letter and said it was for you." The waiter's voice came from outside the door.

Lei Yi was puzzled. Who could have sent him a letter so late at night? He took the envelope and saw no signature on it, only a bright red seal. The seal was engraved with the ancient Chinese character "战", which exuded a sense of solemnity.

Returning to the room, Lei Yi opened the envelope. By candlelight, lines of bold handwriting came into view:

"Lei Yi, you little thief, I am Gu Tianxiong, the head of the Gu family! You have repeatedly defied our family, your crimes are unforgivable! Three days from now, at 3:30 PM, outside the city at Sunset Slope, our Gu family will be waiting for you! If you don't come, you're a coward, and our Gu family will tear you into pieces!"

The letter fluttered from Lei Yi's hand, his face gloomy as if water could drip out. This Gu family really is too much!

"What's wrong?" Dongfang Liuli noticed Lei Yi's abnormality and asked softly.

Lei Yi handed the letter to Dongfang Liuli, his tone cold: "A letter of challenge from the Gu family."

Dongfang Liuli finished reading the letter, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. She naturally understood the significance of this challenge. The Gu family was an ancient family in this area, with a long and rich heritage. The family was full of experts, and Lei Yi's journey would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous.

"What are you going to do?" Dongfang Liuli looked at Lei Yi, her eyes full of worry.

Lei Yi remained silent, pacing the room, his mind racing. He knew that if he accepted the challenge, he would face enormous risks, perhaps even his life. But if he refused, he would be considered a coward, and Dongfang Liuli would be implicated because of him.

"Don't worry, I promised you that I would protect you." Dongfang Liuli held Lei Yi's hand and said firmly, "I believe you."

This short sentence was like a warm current, dispelling the haze in Lei Yi's heart. He looked at Dongfang Liuli, his eyes filled with gratitude and tenderness.

"Okay, I promise them!" Lei Yi took a deep breath and his eyes became extremely firm.

Three days later, there will be a bloody storm at Sunset Slope!

Dongfang Liuli's words were like a ray of light, illuminating the confusion in Lei Yi's heart. Yes, how could he retreat out of fear? He still had many things to do and many people to protect. He couldn't let Dongfang Liuli down, nor could he let those who looked down on him get away with it.

"Liuli, thank you. I won't let you down." Lei Yi held Dongfang Liuli's hand, his eyes filled with determination. He knew the road ahead was long, but he wouldn't back down. He would do his best to protect everything he wanted to protect.

Three days later, Sunset Slope.

The ancient family's gates flung open, two rows of armored guards lined either side, a solemn and murderous aura washing over them. Lei Yi and Dongfang Liuli stood side by side, unaccompanied by any attendants, attending the meeting alone. Their boldness and daring drew the attention of everyone present.

After walking through a long corridor, Lei Yi and Dongfang Liuli arrived at the family's reception hall. Inside, the family patriarch, Gu Tianxiong, sat upright on a high chair. He was dressed in a brocade robe, his face dignified and imposing, even without anger. Beside him stood a burly elder and several young masters of the family. They all looked at Lei Yi with contempt and hostility.

"Lei Yi, you're finally here." Gu Tianxiong looked at Lei Yi with a sneer on his face. "I thought you would hide away like a turtle, not daring to fight."

Lei Yi's expression was calm, and he said neither servilely nor arrogantly, "How dare I not come when Patriarch Gu invites me?"

"Hmph, you have some courage." Gu Tianxiong snorted coldly, "But since you are here, don't blame me for being rude. Today, I will let you know the consequences of offending my Gu family!"

"Master Gu, you're joking. I think everyone has their own opinion on who offended whom," Lei Yi retorted without hesitation. "I came here today to make peace with Master Gu. I hope Master Gu will value peace and stop making such mistakes."

"Turning hostility into friendship? Who do you think you are to negotiate with me?" Gu Tianxiong laughed out loud as if he had heard a huge joke. "You have repeatedly opposed my Gu family and ruined my plans. Today, if you don't pay the price, don't even think about leaving here alive!"

The atmosphere was tense and ready to explode. The family elder standing nearby stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Since today's matter is a challenge, it must naturally be handled according to the rules of our Gu family..."

The family elder slowly unfolded the scroll in his hand, and his aged voice echoed through the hall: "My Gu family has practiced martial arts for generations, and challenges are always based on strength. This challenge has three stages: the first is a sword formation, the second is an illusion, and the third is a life and death stage."

With every word he spoke, Lei Yi's heart sank. Each of these three levels was incredibly dangerous, especially the final life-or-death stage, where it was a near-fatal escape. The Gu family was clearly trying to kill him!

"Lei Yi, do you have any objection?" The family elder's turbid gaze fell on Lei Yi, like a sharp sword, trying to see through him.

Lei Yi took a deep breath. He knew this was a Hongmen Feast set up by the Gu family, but he had no choice. "I accept the challenge."

As soon as he finished speaking, an uproar broke out in the hall. Everyone was amazed at Lei Yi's courage, knowing that there was a tiger in the mountain, but he still went there.

Dongfang Liuli looked at Lei Yi worriedly, but he gave her a reassuring look in return. She knew that Lei Yi had made up his mind, and all she could do was support him silently.

Led by the family maid, Lei Yi was arranged to a secluded guest room. The room was elegantly decorated, but it exuded a cold atmosphere. The shadows of the trees outside the window swayed in the moonlight, like a ghost with bared fangs and claws.

In the dead of night, there was a gentle knock on the door. Lei Yi, alert, asked in a deep voice, "Who is it?"

"Young Master Lei, it's me." A soft and charming voice came, with a hint of sweetness.

Lei Yi opened the door and saw Miss Roushui standing outside in white. The moonlight illuminated her delicate face, making her look even more charming.

"It's so late, what brings you here, Miss Roushui?" Lei Yi asked calmly.

Miss Roushui's eyes flickered as she walked into the room with light lotus steps, her tone carrying a hint of concern: "I heard that Master Lei will accept a challenge tomorrow, so I came to see you. Tomorrow will be dangerous, so I hope you take good care of yourself."

Lei Yi sneered in his heart. This girl Roushui seemed gentle on the surface, but actually she was scheming. She must have had bad intentions when she came here.

He pretended not to notice and smiled faintly: "Thank you Miss Roushui for your concern. Lei knows his limits."

Seeing that he wasn't fooled, Miss Roushui didn't get angry and continued to play with him, trying to disturb his mind with words. Lei Yi countered her moves and remained vigilant, not giving her any chance to take advantage.

No sleep for one night.

The next morning, just as the sky was getting light, Lei Yi got up, washed up, and adjusted his condition. He knew that today's battle would be the most difficult in his life, and he had to give it his all.

When Lei Yi arrived at the ancient family's arena, it was already packed with people, and everyone was talking and speculating about the outcome of the challenge.

In the center of the arena, a high platform was built, on which stood the family elders and several respected family elders, who would serve as witnesses and judges of this challenge.

Lei Yi took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, his gaze determined and his expression composed. His opponent, a sword-obsessed young man, had been waiting on the stage for a long time. He was dressed in white robes as white as snow, a three-foot-long sword in hand, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp sword-like gleam, like a sword unsheathed, ready to strike at any moment.

"Today, either you die or I die." The sword-crazy boy spoke coldly, his voice as loud and powerful as the collision of metal and stone.

Lei Yi said nothing, but slowly drew the long sword from behind him. The sword was as clear as autumn water, and its cold light was intimidating.

A ray of morning light pierced through the clouds, illuminating the arena, the two swords about to clash, and Lei Yi's resolute face...