It had to be said — Li Jiancheng had a very high opinion of himself. He had always been the standout prodigy of the Glazed Glass Royal City's younger generation, and even the former Young Master Fan was not, in his eyes, an insurmountable peak.
Though Young Master Zhen had once dealt him a blow to his confidence, deep down it was more a matter of unwillingness to accept defeat than genuine respect. Even if Young Master Zhen's alchemy was unmatched, even if Young Master Zhen had comprehended all nine Glazed Glass Monuments — so what?
In Li Jiancheng's view, the martial world was ultimately ruled by martial prowess. When it came to martial cultivation, he was certain he could crush Young Master Zhen.
And so his feelings toward Young Master Zhen were a volatile mixture of jealousy and defiance.
Now, upon seeing Huang'er's extraordinary bearing, the thought of snatching her away arose naturally. In his eyes, however monstrous a talent Young Master Zhen might be, the latter had no future in the Glazed Glass Royal City. Therefore, poaching his woman came with no mental burden whatsoever.
In fact, he reasoned that it would be a terrible waste for such a peerless beauty to follow Young Master Zhen to his grave. She would be far better off throwing herself into his — Li Jiancheng's — arms.
"Miss Huang'er, I am by no means trying to frighten you with wild talk. These words are not something I would ordinarily say to just anyone. But a woman of your caliber — I simply cannot bear to watch you walk into a fire pit."
Huang'er smiled bitterly to herself. She knew Li Jiancheng was full of himself, but this level of self-importance was almost inexplicable.
"Li Jiancheng, is that right?" Huang'er was well-mannered; even though she was inwardly displeased, she showed no trace of it. "I have no idea where your superiority complex comes from, and I fail to see any sort of heavenly mandate behind your Shura Dojo. You say these things, and perhaps in your heart you believe you are far superior to Young Master Zhen — is that it?"
Li Jiancheng chuckled. "I do have some admiration for Young Master Zhen's talent in alchemy. But in a world where martial strength reigns supreme, in the final analysis —"
Huang'er smiled faintly. "There's no need to finish. Some things are better left unsaid because they sting. But since you've brought it up, allow me one more remark. You may count for something among the younger generation of the Glazed Glass Royal City. However, if you insist on measuring yourself against Young Master Zhen, I have only four words for you."
"What?" Li Jiancheng was taken aback.
"Bringing humiliation upon yourself."
Li Jiancheng's expression shifted the instant he heard those words, his tone turning cold. "Miss Huang'er, I don't know what sort of elixir that Young Master Zhen fed you, but after this wager, every last one of his myths will be shattered."
"You think too highly of yourself." Huang'er smiled lightly. "Now then — we are not close enough for me to speak frankly. No matter how strong your sense of superiority may be, in his presence you are nothing. Every talent you take pride in does not belong on the same plane as his."
Hearing this, Li Jiancheng nearly flew into a rage.
"Impossible!" he sputtered, his composure cracking. "Since you put it that way, then let us wait and see. I will reduce him to a pathetic stray dog cowering in fear, and I will show you who the finest young master of the Glazed Glass Royal City truly is!"
Huang'er smiled noncommittally. She did not bother to refute him, but her expression said everything — she clearly did not take Li Jiancheng's grand declaration seriously in the slightest.
Li Jiancheng knew that words were useless now. The only way forward was to dominate her in the art of talisman crafting first.
Yes — crush her in the art of talisman crafting with an overwhelming advantage!
His mind was now consumed by the desire to conquer.
The talisman-crafting wager could take many forms. The format chosen by Li Jiancheng and Huang'er was the most fundamental: talisman creation. This was a contest that tested foundational skill to the hilt.
Huang'er had some exposure to the art of talisman crafting, but she had not devoted a great deal of time to it over the years. The Shura Dojo, on the other hand, was widely recognized as one of the top schools in this field.
Li Jiancheng's natural talent in talisman crafting was particularly exceptional.
And so from the very start, Huang'er was at a disadvantage. To make matters worse, Li Jiancheng was desperate to impress and performed well above his usual level.
Though Huang'er hailed from Myriad Abyss Island, she had indeed invested comparatively little effort in the art of talisman crafting.
In the end, Li Jiancheng won this round by a decisive margin.
"Brother Chen, the Shura Dojo's attainment in the art of talisman crafting runs extremely deep. I let you down." Huang'er looked somewhat dejected.
Jiang Chen smiled. "We had already prepared for the worst when it came to the talisman round."
Huang'er nodded slightly. "That Li Jiancheng is insufferably rude. In the martial combat round, I will make sure to cut him down to size and show him his place."
Even Huang'er's gentle temperament had been provoked — which itself spoke volumes about just how odious Li Jiancheng was.
"The ninth match: Young Master Zhen of Peacock Sacred Mountain versus the Shura Great Emperor of the Shura Dojo."
Of the thirteen wager matches, nine had now been reached.
Every remaining round was critically important. As Jiang Chen strode out in great steps, the expressions on every face at the Peacock Sacred Mountain side were somber.
The Four Great Sovereigns were especially conflicted. Eight rounds had been completed: the Peacock Sacred Mountain side had lost four, won three, and tied one. The situation was already dire — perilously close to a point of no return.
If they lost this ninth match as well, that would make five losses. And when the four martial combat rounds arrived, things would become truly dire.
Though everyone placed their faith in Young Master Zhen, the Four Great Sovereigns did not believe for a moment that he could best the Shura Great Emperor — a figure who had been famous for three thousand years — in martial combat.
This round, in their estimation, was another certain loss. That would bring the total to roughly six defeats.
As for Miss Huang'er, the Four Great Sovereigns had no way of gauging her true strength. Her martial combat round against Li Jiancheng would likewise offer little chance of victory.
Running the numbers, the outlook for Peacock Sacred Mountain was grim. The only match they could count on winning was the one the Peerless Great Emperor would certainly claim in the martial combat — and that much was beyond dispute.