2692 True Self
‘It looks like I’ll have to reveal myself,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself with a sigh. When Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of Nine Specters County, had tried to secure additional time for him, he had already decided to reveal himself and win first place in the Martial Compet.i.tion of the 16 Counties if Tian Ji Yu was successful in buying him time. If Tian Ji Yu had failed to buy him time, he had decided to repay Tian Ji Yu and Zheng Qiu in the future. After all, he had made a promise to them to win them the three mediocre Celestial Pills, the Great Overarching Pills. Since Tian Ji Yu managed to buy him time, he felt that it was all fated.
On the other hand, Zhou An was still insisting on betting with the primitive Celestial Alchemist from the Flying Dragon Sect. He asked smugly, “So what is it going to be? Do you dare to bet with me?” Since King Qin had agreed to wait an hour for Duan Ling Tian, it made the bet slightly less meaningless.
Huang Guang Ji, the Vice Sect Leader of the Flying Dragon Sect, glared at Zhou An. “Shameless!” Then, he turned to Duan Ling Tian and said, “Revered Elder Tian Ling, ignore him. He’s just like a barking mad dog! He’s just trying to win back his pride and Celestial Stones from losing the earlier bet and came up with this meaningless bet.” He looked at Zhou An with a knowing look.
“Huang Guang Ji, it’s a bet between me and him. Why are you poking your nose into this matter?” Zhou An said angrily.
“Revered Elder Tian Ling is from our Flying Dragon Sect. It’s only natural that I won’t let him suffer any losses,” Huang Guang Ji said righteously.
Everyone in the VIP seats was certain Duan Ling Tian would not show up. However, at this time, Duan Ling Tian said in a feigned hoa.r.s.e voice, “Fine, I’ll accept your bet. However, we’ll have to change the rules since this bet is unfair to me.”
Everyone fell silent upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words. They were shocked that the primitive Celestial Alchemist from the Flying Dragon Sect would agree to Zhou An’s bet, They wondered if he had gone mad. Even the people from the Flying Dragon Sect were looking at him in confusion. They did not understand why their Revered Elder would accept Zhou An’s shameless bet.
Zhou An, who initiated the bet, was also bewildered when Duan Ling Tian accepted the bet. To be honest, he did not think Duan Ling Tian would accept the bet. After all, he was sure to win! He looked at Duan Ling Tian with a burning gaze and asked, “Are you sure? Are you really sure you want to agree to this bet? As I said earlier, you can only bet on Duan Ling Tian showing up if you decide to accept the bet.” After all, he was worried Duan Ling Tian would also bet that Duan Ling Tian would be a no-show.
Duan Ling Tian scoffed contemptuously before he said, “Do you think everyone is as shameless as you are?”
Zhou An was not angered by Duan Ling Tian’s words. After all, he could already see the 50,00 prominent Celestial Stones that Duan Ling Tian would soon have to pay him. He said, “You said something about changing the rules since the bet is unfair to you. Anyway, since you bet Duan Ling Tian will show up, I’ll make it fair and increase my stakes to 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones. Is that enough?”
Duan Ling Tian chuckled when he heard Zhou An’s proposal. Then, he said with a sneer, “Vice Sect Leader Zhou, you have just given me 50,000 prominent Celestial Stones. Not to mention 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones, I’m afraid you don’t even have 100,000 prominent Celestial Stones…” The Poison King Sect possessed more wealth than any county under the King Qin’s Mansion. However, it was unlikely that a vice sect leader would have more than 100,000 prominent Celestial Stones. For this reason, Duan Ling Tian was certain Zhou An did not have 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones. He said derisively, “If Vice Sect Leader Zhou wishes to bet with an empty sh.e.l.l, I’m sorry, but I won’t agree to your bet!
Zhou An’s face flushed red. After all, Duan Ling Tian had revealed his intention. Indeed, he did not have 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones, but he did not think it mattered since he was certain Duan Ling Tian would not show up. Eventually, he calmed down and said, “Yes, I don’t have 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones. However, there’s no need for you to worry since our Poison King Sect has it!”
“Are you qualified to make such a decision for the Poison King Sect?” Duan Ling Tian sneered.
“What a joke! I’m the vice sect leader of the sect. Moreover, I’m the biological younger brother of the Sect Leader of Poison King Sect. Do you still think I’m not qualified to make this decision?” Zhou An replied in a low voice.
“It looks like I have underestimated you,” Duan Ling Tian said flippantly.
“Stop wasting time! Accept or refuse the bet now. If you refuse, then, just admit you’re a coward!” Zhou An said coldly.
Duan Ling Tian stared at Zhou An meaningfully and said indifferently, “I will certainly accept the bet. However, don’t you think you’re still taking advantage of me by betting only 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones? Why don’t we do it like this? I’ll bet 200,000 prominent Celestial Stones that Duan Ling Tian will show up, and you raise your stakes?”
“Tell me then how many prominent Celestial Stones should I bet?” Zhou An asked. He had no qualms with agreeing to Duan Ling Tian’s change of rules. After all, he was certain Duan Ling Tian would not show up. If Duan Ling Tian were to show up, he would have been here by now.
“500,000 prominent Celestial Stones,” Duan Ling Tian said lightly.
“Okay! I’ll bet 500,000 Prominent Celestial Stones!” Zhou An said, confident he would win. Alas, he was unaware that the man hidden in the black robes were laying a trap for him, step by step.
Duan Ling Tian added, “I have another condition.”
Zhou An frowned and said rather impatiently, “What’s it?”
“You’ll have to invite the Third Prince or King Qin to be the witness to our bet. Otherwise, with your shamelessness, I wouldn’t put it past you to go back on your words!” Duan Ling Tian said.
“You!” Zhou An was furious that Duan Ling Tian called him shameless and that he would go back on his words.
At this moment, the Third Prince emerged from behind the curtain and looked at Duan Ling Tian meaningfully before he said, “I’ll be the witness for your bet.” He could not understand why the primitive Celestial Alchemist from the Flying Dragon Sect would agree to Zhou An’s shameless bet. Could he not see that Zhou An was sure to win? Nevertheless, his interest had been piqued, and he wanted to see the primitive Celestial Alchemist’s reaction after he had lost.
“Your Grace, the Third Prince, thank you,” Duan Ling Tian said. Then, he handed the Spatial Ring containing 200,000 Prominent Celestial Stones to the Third Prince.
“Yes, the total amount is correct.” The Third Prince confirmed. Then, he looked at Zhou An and said indifferently, “If you lose, King Qin’s Mansion will take the 500,000 prominent Celestial Stones from the Poison King Sect to hand it over to Revered Elder Ling Tian from the Flying Dragon Sect.”
Zhou An replied flippantly, clearly unconcerned, “If I lose, our Poison King Sect will send 500,000 prominent Celestial Stones to King Qin’s Mansion immediately after I return.” It did not even occur to him that he would lose.
“That’s good.” The Third Prince nodded. He was not worried the Poison King Sect would break the promise.
At this moment, almost everyone in the VIP seats looked at Duan Ling Tian as though he was a fool.
However, at the same time, Duan Ling Tian took off his black robes that hid his face and revealed his handsome smiling face. He had revealed his true ident.i.ty. He smiled at Zhou An, and his voice was no longer hoa.r.s.e as he said to Zhou An, “Thank you for your 500,000 prominent Celestial Stones.”
“Hmm?” The people in the VIP seats were shocked. They had thought the primitive Celestial Alchemist was an old man based on his hoa.r.s.e voice. They did not expect him to fake his voice. Who would have thought a handsome and tall young man was hidden under the black robe?