“Can I really make demands?” Jiang Chen asked with a grin, putting on a harmless expression.
Palace Master Danchi smiled. “Jiang Chen, if you agree to remove the arena for this matter, it constitutes a sacrifice on your part. It’s only right to propose some conditions. The sect rewards and punishes fairly, and naturally cannot sacrifice your interests to benefit others.”
“Fine. For a poor person like me, clashes of ego are meaningless—tangible benefits are more important.” Jiang Chen adopted a cooperative tone. “Then this disciple will be bold and ask: ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, plus a hundred jin of Purple-Void Gold, a hundred jin of Star Cloud Sand, and a hundred jin of Cinnabar Vermilion. Mm, if Elder Liancheng still has some High-Grade Origin-Returning Pills, casually gifting a few thousand wouldn’t bother me either.”
This bid would sound like opening with a huge demand if heard by the younger generation.
But to the three giants, while substantial, it wasn’t overly extravagant. After all, Elder Liancheng had lived to a ripe old age and possessed incredible wealth. This bit of stuff was merely a drop in the bucket for him.
Elder Liancheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily. “Good, good. Young people shouldn’t beat around the bush. Speak your mind; say what you want. That’s how it should be. Leave these things to me. Within three days, they will be delivered to your cave dwelling.”
Jiang Chen smiled. “Elder Liancheng is truly straightforward. Very well. Once the arena is to be removed, this disciple will await your instructions at any time.”
However, Elder Yunnie suddenly spoke. “I actually think the arena shouldn’t be removed.”
“Huh?”
The other three looked at Elder Yunnie in confusion. Hadn’t they already settled the conditions?
Elder Yunnie nodded. “Since this alchemy duel must proceed, simply removing the arena won’t eliminate the inner demons between them. I actually think this is an opportunity.”
“An opportunity? What do you mean?” Elder Liancheng asked thoughtfully.
“That kid Shen Qinghong is arrogant and proud. If Jiang Chen removes the arena, he will inevitably stir up trouble, spreading the notion that Jiang Chen fears him. That’s detrimental to Jiang Chen. Conversely, if Shen Qinghong doesn’t face some setback, his self-important nature won’t be corrected—his inner demon remains unresolved, which is also bad for him. I think this duel should take place. The best outcome is a draw. A showdown between two great cauldrons would become an immortal tale. A duel between two geniuses will surely spark curiosity throughout the Danchi Palace, making the sect’s talents even more admired. This will have a positive effect on the young generation, strengthening their sense of belonging to the sect.”
“A draw?” Palace Master Danchi and Elder Liancheng exchanged a glance, sensing there was some logic in Elder Yunnie’s words.
“Exactly, a draw. Let Shen Qinghong realize the difficulty and retreat, without losing face entirely. It preserves Shen Qinghong’s dignity while maintaining Jiang Chen’s. Similarly, it can make Shen Qinghong truly understand that there’s always someone better. This will benefit his future growth,” Elder Yunnie added.
The greatest issue in Shen Qinghong’s growth thus far was his extreme arrogance. Among the sect’s younger generation, no one had ever truly made him feel defeated, no one made him feel invincible.
On one hand, this built confidence.
But on the negative side, it fostered Shen Qinghong’s blind conceit.
Palace Master Danchi smiled knowingly, seeming to understand. “Yunnie, your proposal is good. However, achieving a draw—how easy is that to manage?”
Elder Liancheng also nodded. “Indeed. A draw would be perfect. But if the balance isn’t maintained, a victor might emerge.”
Elder Yunnie’s gaze drifted to Jiang Chen, a faint, ambiguous smile on his face. “Whether it’s feasible or not, we should ask Jiang Chen, the principal involved.”
Jiang Chen rubbed his nose, smiling wryly. “Elder Yunnie, you’re really testing me, aren’t you?”
“Haha, Jiang Chen, I know you definitely have a way to make it happen.”
Jiang Chen sighed. “Why do I feel like I’ve boarded a pirate ship?”
Palace Master Danchi laughed aloud. “Jiang Chen, be straightforward. Just say whether you can do it.”
“Can I say no?” Jiang Chen asked, sounding exasperated.
Elder Liancheng smiled. “If this duel results in a draw, I will pay the initial conditions in full.”
“I’ll add another five thousand high-grade spirit stones,” Palace Master Danchi chuckled.
Seeing this, Elder Yunnie laughed. “Then I can’t be stingy. I’ll add another five thousand high-grade spirit stones.”
Palace Master Danchi asked, “Jiang Chen, is that enough now?”
Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up with a smile. “That’s about right, then? Let me be clear upfront—no backing out afterward.”
Palace Master Danchi deliberately kept a straight face. “Remember, it must be a draw. If it’s not a draw, I won’t pay up.”
Jiang Chen grinned. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. For the sake of getting rich, it’ll definitely be a draw.”
Palace Master Danchi and Elder Yunnie smiled at Jiang Chen’s demeanor. Elder Liancheng, though smiling, was inwardly shocked.
*“How high is this kid’s talent in alchemy? He dares to agree so readily—his alchemy talent and cultivation must far surpass Qinghong’s. Otherwise, where would he get the confidence to agree? A draw isn’t something you can just decide to have. Without extraordinary talent and strength, how could he possibly manage the fine balance so precisely?”*
Shocked inwardly, he still said aloud, “Good! I’ll look forward to good news of this duel from my cave dwelling!”
Even Elder Liancheng had to admit that Elder Yunnie’s proposal was the best.
Removing the arena was actually inferior to having them fight. And a draw was the ideal choice.
It could make Shen Qinghong retreat knowing the difficulty, without causing him to lose face entirely and cast a shadow over his heart.
After the three giants left, Jiang Chen was overjoyed.
This time, the gains were truly enormous.
The three giants had altogether provided twenty thousand high-grade spirit stones. Added to his existing stock, it would be enough to unleash the Nine Gates Burning Heaven Array to fifty percent power.
Jiang Chen’s original plan was to activate thirty percent of the array’s power.
If fifty percent could be activated, that would be even more perfect—enough to defend against experts at the Heavenly Sage level.
For Jiang Chen, this was simply a delightful surprise.