Chapter 165 - 159: The Bet
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH...
The wind howled as countless black Wind Blades extinguished the flames on the Golden-Winged Eagle and sped toward Lei Jingtong.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Red-Training Snake, on the other hand, fared better in the wave of fire. As a Fire Spirit Beast, its immunity to flames was quite good. Although its movements were affected, it was of little consequence.
It weaved through the waves of fire, lashing out and ramming from time to time, causing Lei Jingtong no small amount of trouble and forcing him to divide his attention.
Perhaps Lei Jingtong was intentionally pressing the fight upward. The two continued to battle as they ascended the steps. The surrounding pressure grew ever greater, but their combat showed no signs of being affected.
Step 2,100... Step 2,200... Step 2,300...
Flames surged like waves and the saber flashed like a phantom. The violent shockwaves made it so that no one else on the path dared to interfere. They could only watch the battle in silent awe.
"Is that... Lei Jingtong from Overlord Blade Peak?!"
"Who’s that fighting him? Someone from Beast Taming Peak? Besides Miao Wenlun, who else has that kind of strength?"
The other disciples cried out in alarm, but some of them recognized Yu Changsheng’s identity.
"No, wait, a Red Refining Snake and a Golden-Winged Eagle... Isn’t that Yu Changsheng? The Yu Changsheng who’s number one in Alchemy and the new number one of Beast Taming Peak!"
"It really is him? How did he get into a conflict with Lei Jingtong? These two are terrifying! To fight so intensely under this immense pressure, their movements are so fluid and unaffected. The fact that Yu Changsheng can go toe-to-toe with Lei Jingtong is just insane!"
Step 2,500... Step 2,600... Step 2,700...
The pressure at this level was already quite terrifying. Many disciples at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer were stuck here, yet Yu Changsheng and Lei Jingtong’s expressions were normal, their movements showing no signs of sluggishness. For the moment, they were evenly matched.
At the foot of the mountain, in addition to Elder Cao and Elder Hai, many other disciples and elders had gradually arrived.
Judging by their attire, they were the elders and disciples from the various peaks. After all, this was the Inner Sect trial, a matter of honor for every peak, so it naturally garnered much attention.
A full hour after the trial began, Elder Cao waved his hand and performed a finger technique. A series of images materialized in the air, showing the scenes of the trial on the Celestial Ladder.
The topmost image showed a scene approaching the 5,000th step. The people in the frame were the elites of the various peaks—the Foundation Establishment Disciples.
"Looks like first place on the Celestial Ladder this year is likely to go to Huang Suyu of Sword Control Peak."
Elder Hai commented, stroking his beard as he watched Huang Suyu at the very front of the image.
"That kid Huang Suyu is indeed impressive. He’s already at Foundation Establishment, and with his masterful Swordsmanship, he could even contend with someone at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Barring any surprises, it should be him."
Upon hearing this, the elder from Sword Control Peak gave a proud laugh, unable to conceal his admiration for Huang Suyu.
"Oh? Elder Li, you seem quite interested in this child. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of taking him as a disciple?" Elder Hai asked in surprise, glancing over at Elder Li of Sword Control Peak.
"This child is a rare talent for my Sword Control Peak. Once the trial is over, if he is willing, I will take him as my disciple. This old man will certainly teach him everything I know."
Elder Li smiled faintly, not denying Elder Hai’s statement.
"Then I’d say the boy is quite fortunate."
Elder Hai nodded. Huang Suyu’s talent was indeed impressive.
"Wait, everyone look! Over on the two-thousandth step... those two disciples. That’s Lei Jingtong, isn’t it?"
Suddenly, the sharp-eyed elder from Overlord Blade Peak cried out. Seeing his own peak’s disciple, he waved a hand to magnify the image.
Everyone looked over, their expressions a little surprised.
"It is indeed Lei Jingtong of Overlord Blade Peak. I remember this one. He’s at the Peak of Qi Refining Cultivation but once defeated a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with his exquisite saber techniques. If not for his short time in the sect, once he reaches Foundation Establishment, I’m afraid even Gu Zhen, the number one of Overlord Blade Peak, would be no match for him."
Elder Li’s eyes showed his surprise. Sword Control Peak and Overlord Blade Peak had always been closely linked, competing with and supporting each other. The people of Sword Control Peak often paid attention to the talented disciples of Overlord Blade Peak, as there was constant friction between them. The rivalry between sword and saber was ancient.
"The one fighting him is no slouch either. A disciple from Beast Taming Peak? But it’s not Miao Wenlun?"
Everyone frowned as they looked on, incomparably astonished to see the figure of Yu Changsheng.
"It’s him..."
"I remember this kid, too. Yu Changsheng, right? I only knew his talent for Alchemy was one-of-a-kind; I never expected him to be so capable in battle."
"Your Beast Taming Peak has found a good seedling. If you train him well, he has a good chance of reaching the Golden Core realm in the future."
Hearing these comments, Elder Yun Hejing’s eyes brightened. Dressed in a simple blue-green gown, her hair was tied in a loose, low bun, adorned only with a pair of simple, conjoined silver pearl flowers. The simple style only served to accentuate her snow-white skin, making her look exquisitely beautiful. At that moment, watching the image of Yu Changsheng, she smiled faintly. It was a smile of captivating charm, enough to make still waters ripple.
’This little guy... has he grown up so quickly...?’
She murmured to herself, a trace of worry flickering in her beautiful, expressive eyes.
"This Yu Changsheng is certainly a surprise, but he’s facing Lei Jingtong, after all. I estimate it won’t be long before Yu Changsheng is defeated."
The other elders likely shared this sentiment.
"Hmph," Yun Hejing snorted coldly and retorted, "That’s not necessarily true. A disciple of my Beast Taming Peak is not to be underestimated."
"Oh? Is that so?" Elder Li chuckled, gave Yun Hejing a long look, and then laughed heartily. "It seems Elder Yun has great confidence in Yu Changsheng. In that case, how about we make a bet?"
"A bet?" Yun Hejing mused, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as if she were struggling with the decision.
Elder Li wasn’t in a hurry, watching her with an amused smile.
After a long moment, Yun Hejing gritted her teeth and nodded. "Alright, a bet it is. Since it’s my risk, let me decide the stakes."
"Fine. You name the stakes."
Elder Li waved his hand magnanimously, chuckling.
"Let’s bet..." Yun Hejing paused, then after a moment’s thought, said, "How about one opportunity to use your Sword Control Peak’s Sword Cleansing Pool, plus one Foundation Establishment Pill?"
"This..." Elder Li hesitated.
These stakes were not small. The Sword Control Peak’s Sword Cleansing Pool was a rare body-tempering Holy Land in the Wanxiang Sect. Only five spots were made available every ten years, and they were always reserved for the most exceptionally brilliant geniuses in the sect to temper themselves once.
"Elder Yun certainly has a good eye, aiming right for the only Sword Cleansing Pool spot this old man has," Elder Li chuckled, stroking his beard in thought.
’I had originally planned to give this Sword Cleansing Pool spot to Huang Suyu as an acceptance gift if he became my disciple... And now I’m using it as a wager...’
"I wonder, what does Elder Yun have to offer as her stake?"
Elder Li looked up. He didn’t agree right away, intending to first inquire about her collateral. If her side of the bet was satisfactory, he might just accept.