After obtaining the Heavenly Extremity Cauldron, Shen Qinghong did not immediately come to Jiang Chen. He had gone back to conserve his energy and adjust his condition to its peak.
Early that morning, Shen Qinghong led a large group of subordinates and arrived early at the entrance of Jiang Chen's cave dwelling, ready to settle things with him.
However, upon reaching the entrance, he discovered that Jiang Chen wasn't waiting there at all.
This caught Shen Qinghong slightly off guard.
He had announced his challenge yesterday. In his view, Jiang Chen should have been waiting right here.
Instead, he found that he had been somewhat naive. This Jiang Chen, unlike other geniuses of Danxia Valley, simply didn't play by the rules.
If it were any other genius from Danxia Valley, upon hearing that Shen Qinghong was coming, they would certainly have arrived early to wait.
"That little thief Jiang Chen is truly detestable!" Rong Zifeng saw this and was furious.
Nie Chong said to Shen Qinghong, "Senior Brother Shen, let me go challenge him."
Shen Qinghong waved his hand, his expression cold. "No need. This brat is deliberately playing mind games, trying to wear down my edge. How could I possibly fall for it?"
"So we just wait here?" Nie Chong asked uncertainly.
"We wait!"
Shen Qinghong made a grand gesture. "You all announce it throughout Danxia Valley. Say that I'm guarding the entrance to Jiang Chen's cave, waiting for him to come out and fight. If he doesn't come out, he's clearly afraid and has a guilty conscience."
Rong Zifeng was delighted. "Brilliant! This Jiang Chen wants to play mind games. Senior Brother Shen, with this move, you push all the pressure onto him. Let's see how he acts like a cowardly turtle now!"
Shen Qinghong smiled proudly, sat cross-legged, and said no more.
He now understood better than anyone that Jiang Chen was not a simple opponent.
For this battle, he must conserve his energy and maintain his peak state.
Just as Rong Zifeng and the others were about to send out the announcement, the door to Jiang Chen's cave slowly opened. Jiang Chen yawned, stretched lazily, and walked out looking as if he'd just woken up.
"Here so early?"
Jiang Chen looked at Shen Qinghong blankly, then exclaimed with exaggerated surprise, "Oh, isn't this Senior Brother Shen?"
Shen Qinghong knew perfectly well that Jiang Chen was putting on an act.
"Jiang Chen, cut the nonsense. You cannot escape this battle."
Jiang Chen stretched again and asked with concern, "Senior Brother Shen, how many spirit stones did you bring?"
Shen Qinghong's expression darkened. This Jiang Chen was like a miser, always talking about spirit stones. This was hardly the bearing of a genius disciple.
"If you don't have spirit stones, I won't play along," Jiang Chen muttered. "Wait here while I freshen up. Let me be clear upfront. With your status, Senior Brother Shen, without ten thousand high-grade elemental spirit stones, I won't bother playing with you."
After speaking, Jiang Chen walked back inside slowly.
Seeing the door to Jiang Chen's cave close again, Shen Qinghong, no matter how composed, couldn't suppress the urge to lash out.
This Jiang Chen was too infuriating. His attitude completely treated the number-one genius like dirt. He didn't show the slightest bit of basic respect.
All he cared about was spirit stones. Was Jiang Chen possessed by the spirit of a money-grubber?
Fortunately, ten thousand spirit stones were nothing to Shen Qinghong—just plucking a hair from his thigh.
Regardless of what tricks Jiang Chen played this time, Shen Qinghong would absolutely not give up this battle. He would tear off Jiang Chen's false mask and crush him into the dust.
Kill one to warn a hundred!
After about half an hour, Jiang Chen finally appeared slowly.
"Senior Brother Shen, take out the ten thousand spirit stones first, so I can see them. Otherwise, I'm going back to my cave."
Shen Qinghong smiled contemptuously and waved his hand. His subordinates had long since laid out ten thousand high-grade elemental spirit stones.
"Jiang Chen, your ambition is only worth this many spirit stones. If you can beat me, these stones are all yours."
Jiang Chen chuckled. "I did a quick calculation. Senior Brother Shen, you're the number one genius. Beating you isn't easy. At best, I might fight you to a draw."
Shen Qinghong didn't realize Jiang Chen was setting a verbal trap. He snorted coldly, "If I cannot defeat you, I consider myself the loser! These stones are all yours."
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Everyone listen up! If I'm lucky enough to fight Senior Brother Shen to a draw, he'll give me ten thousand spirit stones as a greeting gift."
Seeing how much Jiang Chen cared about spirit stones, Shen Qinghong's impression of him dropped another notch.
"This Jiang Chen must have been terrified of being poor in that backwater place. So narrow-minded, only thinking about spirit stones. Even if he has some talent, his future prospects will surely be limited. Probably not even as good as Jun Mobai. Forget it. After today's battle, I can't be bothered with these trifles anymore. I need to focus on breaking through to the Saint Realm."
Shen Qinghong looked down on Jiang Chen, his evaluation growing ever lower.
Jiang Chen naturally guessed what Shen Qinghong was thinking but didn't expose him.
"Senior Brother Shen, you've waited long enough. So, how do you propose we bet this time?"
When Jiang Chen finally said this, Shen Qinghong almost shed tears of relief. He had finally gotten these words after so much effort.
"Jiang Chen, to judge an alchemist's talent and level, it ultimately comes down to their alchemy skill. I challenge you to a duel in pill refinement. One round to decide the winner."
Shing Qinghong went straight to the point.
Jiang Chen nodded and asked calmly, "A duel in alchemy, I accept. What pill do you plan to refine?"