Chapter 37 - The Challenge!

“This matter is settled. We have urgent business with Elder Jin Buhuan, please introduce us,” Shui Yunyao said with a slight smile.

“Why rush? I heard you’ve recently found a dao partner. Is it this person?” Jin Kuang said disdainfully, pointing at Leng Yan.

“Yes, it’s him. Do you have a problem with that?” Shui Yunyao’s voice turned cold, as she wouldn’t allow anyone to look down on her man.

“Not really, I just didn’t expect the Five Elements Sect’s first beauty to choose someone like this,” Jin Kuang said arrogantly.

Leng Yan became furious upon hearing this. If it had been said to him alone, he would have dismissed it as nonsense. But now, Jin Kuang said it in front of Shui Yunyao-no man could tolerate that.

“What kind of person I am is one thing, but some hold themselves in high esteem while being no better than swine in private. Such people are not much better than me!” Leng Yan said with a smile as he held Shui Yunyao’s hand.

“What did you say? Don’t think you can be reckless just because Shui Yunyao backs you!” Jin Kuang didn’t expect Leng Yan to talk back. Although he couldn’t discern Leng Yan’s realm, Jin Kuang was confident. Leng Yan had been cultivating dao for less than a year; even as a genius, he’d only be in the true essence realm-in Jin Kuang’s eyes, merely an ant.

“Why are you so angry? I didn’t even mention you! But since you accuse me of relying on Yunyao, how about we make a bet?” Leng Yan was truly angered. Jin Kuang’s statement implied he was freeloading off a woman. How could he tolerate that?

“You? Make a bet with me? Ha! Fine, what’s the bet?” Jin Kuang laughed dismissively.

“Three years from now, at the Heaven Punishment Platform of the main sect on Wugang Star, a battle to the death! Do you dare accept?” Leng Yan said with determination.

“Leng Yan!” Shui Yunyao hadn’t expected Leng Yan to propose a life-and-death bet. She worriedly tugged at Leng Yan’s sleeve, signaling him not to act impulsively.

Leng Yan smiled slightly, reassuring Shui Yunyao not to worry. He had calculated his chances and wouldn’t make such a bold claim blindly. Leng Yan was confident that with the Dragon Emperor’s essence blood, his strength would increase rapidly. Even if he couldn’t reach Jin Kuang’s cultivation level in three years, he wouldn’t be far behind.

“Well? Do you dare or not?” Leng Yan said imperiously.

Seeing Leng Yan’s confidence, Jin Kuang felt a bit hesitant to accept the challenge, as he sensed an intimidating aura from Leng Yan that unnerved him.

However, with so many people watching, refusing would mean admitting fear. Jin Kuang felt like he was between a rock and a hard place.

“You? Fine, if you can defeat two of my true essence realm disciples, I’ll give you the chance!” Jin Kuang finally thought of a perfect solution-if Leng Yan couldn’t defeat the disciples, it would prove he was unqualified, and Jin Kuang wouldn’t get a reputation for avoiding a battle.

“Alright! As you wish, let’s have them come out!” Leng Yan replied confidently with a smile.

The crowd quickly stepped back to make room for the battle.

Jin Kuang assumed Leng Yan was only at the initial stage of the true essence realm, so he was sure two of his own disciples would easily win.

Though Shui Yunyao was worried for Leng Yan, her trust in him led her to pull Long Qing back from the battle area.

“You two, go play with him. Don’t hit too hard; we don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble!” Jin Kuang sneered.

The two true essence realm disciples exuded an air of arrogance, and the smirk on their faces showed they intended to go all out.

However, Leng Yan had no intention of holding back either.

“Junior brother, blades are blind, fists merciless-don’t cry if you get hurt!”

Leng Yan, impatient, retorted, “Why so much unnecessary talk? Do you think you’re performing in a play? If you’re going to battle, do it quickly.”

“You-”

They wanted to say more, but Leng Yan had already launched his attack. Two massive dark blue water dragons swept forward with gusts of wind, cutting off their words.

Before they even had a chance to react, the fierce water dragon technique was upon them, striking fear in their eyes. They couldn’t even scream before being flung dozens of meters away, landing unconscious on the ground.

“Do I qualify now?” Leng Yan said nonchalantly, dusting off his hands.

The surrounding crowd was silent, stunned by Leng Yan’s overwhelming strength, rendering two true essence realm disciples unconscious with a single move.

“I initially thought he was just boasting, but I didn’t expect him to be this powerful!”

“Yeah! His strength is at least at the primordial qi realm. He might actually surpass Senior Brother Jin Kuang in three years. After all, it’s been over two years since Jin Kuang has been stuck at the initial stage of the golden core realm without any progress!”

The crowd finally started to realize Leng Yan’s potential, exchanging their thoughts with each other.

Meanwhile, Shui Yunyao simply smiled, feeling increasingly fond of the man before her.

Long Qing, holding her fire sword, jumped around excitedly, shouting, “Leng Yan is amazing!”

Jin Kuang’s face turned sour. As those around observed, he’d indeed been at the same realm for over two years without progress, as his meridians had reached their capacity for spiritual power. Forcing a breakthrough could damage his meridians.

Leng Yan’s display of strength had surpassed Jin Kuang’s expectations, but with no escape and unwilling to lose face, Jin Kuang had no choice but to accept the challenge.

“Fine! I accept! I’ll give you the opportunity!”

“Very well! Now please take us to meet Elder Jin Buhuan. You cannot afford to delay this matter,” Leng Yan said calmly.

“Follow me!” Jin Kuang initially intended to stall Leng Yan but feared there might be a pressing issue at hand that he couldn’t afford to delay. So, he grudgingly led the way.

They passed through a mountainside, arriving at an isolated courtyard. Above its gate, the words “Outer Attendant Pavilion” glowed in brilliant yellow.

“Elder Jin! Shui Yunyao, sect master of the Water Sect, requests an audience!” Jin Kuang respectfully called out to the pavilion.

“Come in!” Elder Jin’s voice responded, granting them entry.

Jin Kuang entered the Outer Attendant Pavilion first, followed by Leng Yan and the others.

Inside, three other elders were cultivating. Upon seeing the group enter, their eyes first landed on Long Qing, filled with surprise. The elders quickly approached her, each offering a high-grade treasure tool.

“Such a cute little girl! Here, take this little trinket!”

Leng Yan was internally frustrated with Jin Buhuan’s behavior. Clearly, the elders recognized Long Qing’s identity and were now trying to curry favor with her.

Jin Kuang was utterly dumbfounded. These three elders were usually so aloof, and yet today they were so eager to give away high-grade treasure tools.

Long Qing was grinning from ear to ear, delightedly saying, “You old men did well! I’ll remember you!”

Hearing this, the elders beamed with joy, as if they were entertained by something rare and precious before them.

“Leng-Ge, look! Three high-grade treasure tools. Which one do you want? I’ll give it to you!” Long Qing said to Leng Yan with a smile, holding the magical treasures.

Anyone else would have eagerly started picking, but who was Long Qing? She was someone so revered that even cultivators undergoing the mystic tribulation would bring her gifts. How could he take a magical treasure from her hands?

“Long Qing, put the treasures away, or someone might covet them, and it could cause trouble!” Leng Yan advised, throwing a glance in Jin Kuang’s direction.

The three elders saw this clearly, and Jin Buhuan’s eyes flashed with anger. “On my turf, if anyone dares harm this little girl, I’ll skin them alive!” he roared.

Jin Kuang was thoroughly frightened by this threat. It was his men who had tried to bully the young girl, and if they had succeeded, he could be in serious trouble now.

“Alright! I like how you’re so bold, old man. Do you have any hairpins or similar magical treasures? I’ll trade you for one,” Long Qing said, suddenly picking up one of the treasures and looking at Jin Buhuan.

Jin Buhuan, being an old man, naturally had no hairpins, and was suddenly at a loss for words, visibly anxious.

“Long Qing, just hold onto this treasure for now. Next time you visit, they’ll have hairpins ready, and you can trade then,” Leng Yan suggested.

“Yes, next time you come, I’ll have it ready for you,” Jin Buhuan said, casting a grateful glance at Leng Yan and smiled.