Immortal Soaring Blade

If it was before, Zhou Hongyong would have already become angry from Zhao Jiuge’s provoking words. However, his face was very calm and he smiled. “Zhao Jiuge, don’t always depend on that foul mouth of yours. Do you think that you can be arrogant just because you broke through to the Spirit Core Realm? I, Zhou Hongyong, condensed my spirit core before you entered the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect, when you were still in some unknown place playing with mud!”

There was no emotion mixed in his voice, but his words were extremely arrogant!

Although Zhou Hongyong was hiding it very well, Zhao Jiuge felt a trace of coldness. He was not surprised that Zhou Hongyong had seen through him. Others may not know, but as Du Jun’s disciple, Zhou Hongyong should be able to do this much.

It was Leng Rufeng and Luo Xie who were shocked. They hadn’t expected Zhao Jiuge to be at the Spirit Core Realm already—it had only been half a year.

As for the others, they weren’t shocked. More than ⅔ of the crowd had condensed their spirit cores. Soon, most of them would leave to go out to experience the world.

Fang Qiwen was the best among them. If Zhou Hongyong weren’t so devoted to formations, he would have gone out as well.

“Hehe, I’m arrogant? I can’t compare to you. However, even if I’m arrogant, what can you do? If you’re not convinced, then let’s see how strong I am after reaching the Spirit Core Realm!” Zhao Jiuge laughed in anger, and his momentum didn’t lose out to Zhou Hongyong.

This time, it was Zhou Hongyong who became startled. He wasn’t expecting Zhao Jiuge to deliver himself up. He wanted to provoke Zhao Jiuge by using Zhao Jiuge’s identity as the Head Teacher’s disciple to force Zhao Jiuge into a battle. Now that Zhao Jiuge was the one to provoke him into a fight instead, he was dazed.

When Fang Qiwen saw the delay in Zhou Hongyong response, he quickly spoke up with a strange smile. “Indeed worthy of being the Head Teacher’s disciple. You have courage.”

Zhao Jiuge took a profound look at Fang Qiwen but didn’t speak. This person gave him a slight sense of pressure and danger.

The surrounding crowd saw that both sides had torn aside all pretense and were about to fight. The people who couldn’t wait for a fight were all cheering.

Many people didn’t think things would go well for Zhao Jiuge. Even though Zhao Jiuge’s identity was special, he has been in the sect for too short a period of time and his strength was slacking. Zhou Hongyong had condensed his spirit core several years ago and had studied formations for a long time.

At this moment, everyone was waiting to watch Zhao Jiuge be bullied.

Fang Qiwen and Zhou Hongyong, thanks to his formations, could be considered the best among the disciples still at the sect. Most people were already on their side before the fight began, only a few people were merely watching without caring about what happened.

The only people that were different were the dozens of people who had joined the inner sect with Zhao Jiuge. However, they all remained silent and didn’t express any opinions.

Among the crowd, there was a young girl carefully observing the situation. She was surrounded by a dozen or so inner sect disciples. However, aside from her, who was wearing a green dress, everyone else was wearing blue sword robes, as no one else was a direct disciple.

Fang Qiwen’s words immediately made Zhou Hongyong react. “Good. Since there are so many people here as our witness, how about we play big? We’ll head straight to the betting arena and bet 10,000 sect contributions each. Winner takes all.”

Zhao Jiuge knew that the betting arena only existed in the inner sect. Usually, two disciples would go there to resolve personal grievances, and no killing was allowed. Sect contributions or items were given to the winner. The betting arena could be said to be one of the inner sect disciples’ favorite places, as it helped them grow stronger and win sect contributions. Sometimes, two people would fight just for sect contributions even though there was no grudge between them.

Zhou Hongyong’s words immediately caused a shockwave through the crowd.

“Zhou Hongyong is simply too shameless. Not only does he want to fight, he wants Zhao Jiuge to bet 10,000 sect contributions. Isn’t this simply robbery?”

“It's normal for two people with grievances to fight. The weaker person can only blame themselves for being weak. However, the fact that Zhou Hongyong wants to bet as well is a bit shameless.”

Zhou Hongyong ignored all the voices scolding him and still had a smile, waiting for Zhao Jiuge’s answer. He was certain that he would win today. Not only was he going to win, he was going to make it difficult for Zhao Jiuge to back down and cause the Mysterious Heaven Peak to lose all face.

Zhao Jiuge didn’t respond right away and was weighing the pros and cons. Luo Xie and Leng Refeng were a little anxious, but with their strength, they couldn’t do anything to help.

At this moment, everyone’s gazes were focused on Zhao Jiuge. They wanted to see how he would react.

“What? As the disciple of the Head Teacher, you don’t dare to fight? I was just complimenting you. If you don’t dare to, then admit your faults and leave.”

Fang Qiwen’s words echoed after waiting for a while. Not only were his words vicious, he was deliberately humiliating Zhao Jiuge. If Zhao Jiuge really admitted his faults before so many people, how humiliating would it be for him and his teacher. Jian Wuxian? He had deliberately said those words to force Zhao Jiuge to agree.

“Hmph, Fang Qinwen, Zhou Hongyong, are you two bored? Both of you are older disciples bullying a new disciple.”

A shout suddenly came from the crowd. The girl wearing the green dress walked out and arrived beside Zhao Jiuge.

The girl was not very old, only around 20 years old, very close to Zhao Jiuge’s age. She had an oval face and a very refreshing appearance. She was not as beautiful as other girls Zhao Jiuge knew, but because of her petite figure, she had her own appeal.

“Senior Sister Jiulian.” Seeing the person come over, Zhao Jiuge respectfully greeted her. He didn’t think Senior Sister Jiulian would stand up for him.

Senior Sister Jiulian was also from the Mysterious Heaven Peak, and she was a direct disciple of an elder. Although she was also a direct disciple, her status was a lot lower. After all, the disciples of the Head Teacher and Head Seats were of a higher status, as it was possible for them to inherit those positions in the future.

Jiulian and Fang Qiwen were considered equal here, and they should be going out to experience the world soon. Those with more profound cultivation had already left. Among the remaining disciples, the ones with the highest cultivation were Fang Qiwen, who was at the late stage of the Spirit Core Realm, and Jiulian, who was at the mid stage of the Spirit Core Realm. There were a few more people in similar situations here.

Seeing Zhao Jiuge greet her, Jiulian smiled and nodded. She softly said, “Junior Brother Jiuge.”

Fang Qiwen frowned and angrily said, “Jiulian, what are you doing? This is a grudge between the two of them, why are you getting involved?”

“I don’t like it. So what? Are your hands feeling itchy? How about we spar as well?” Jianlian shouted in anger, her chest heaving up and down.

Jiulian didn’t even finish speaking before Zhao Jiuge smiled and gently pulled her arm. He shook his head. “Don’t worry, Senior Sister Jiulian. I can resolve this issue. No matter what, I cannot lose face for our Mysterious Heaven Peak.

Hearing this, Jiulian was still worried. When she heard his words and saw his firm expression, her hesitation disappeared. She gently nodded and somewhat worriedly said, “Then, be careful.”

Fang Qiwen watched this in anger. If he wasn’t worried about interrupting Zhou Hongyong’s plan, he would have already taught this little girl a lesson.

Then Fang Qiwen looked at Zhao Jiuge and thought, “I’ll let you flirt for now, but later, you will be crying!”

Zhao Jiuge ignored everyone’s gazes. He was able to control himself very well. Zhao Jiuge looked toward Zhou Hongyong. “I don’t have that many sect contributions. 4,000 sect contributions and 5,000 spirit stones, how about it?”

He had spent almost 6,000 sect contributions when he was refining his Purple Ji Chaotic Thunder Armor, so he only had a little over 4,000 left. When he condensed his third dragon, he had used a lot of the spirit stones he had taken from Han Songcheng, so only about 5,000 were left.

This was a big bet. What had made Zhao Jiuge agree was what his teacher and senior sister had told him, and he also had his own plans as well.

Just like his teacher and senior sister had said, he didn’t just represent himself. He represented the entire Mysterious Heaven Peak!

Moreover, when he confirmed his own dao to cultivate the sword, it meant he would live life with a clear conscience. If he was going to retreat or withdraw due to a small obstacle, how could he continue walking down this path?

“Okay, then that’s settled. We’ll go to the betting arena now!” Zhou Hongyong’s eyes lit up with a  smile that wasn’t easy to detect. He thought that Zhao Jiuge had fallen for his trap. He was going to make Zhao Jiuge lose everything and also lose face.

Zhao Jiuge clearly saw this smile, and his mouth curved up slightly. He sneered in his heart. Although Zhou Hongyong was a bit tricky, he was no longer weak. It was uncertain who would win or lose.

Besides, he was in dire need of sect contributions and spirit stones. If he could win, it would be very good, as he owed the Treasure Pavilion a lot of sect contributions. He wondered how many sect contributions his senior sister had spent on the materials for his flying sword..

After both of them confirmed the fight, the atmosphere reached a peak. Those who just wanted to see the world burn had already flown off to inform their friends. Others had already left for the betting arena.

Jiulian sighed slightly and her eyes were anxious. However, she didn’t say more, because the matter was already decided.

Everyone had smiles on their faces like they were going to be the ones that were going to fight; they were very excited. Only Leng Rufeng and Luo Xie had worried expressions. Although they knew that Zhao Jiuge had reached the Spirit Core Realm, they were still worried for their brother.

Only Zhao Jiuge was excited, and his eyes were filled with battle intent. As for who would be the victor, the result would naturally reveal itself.