326 The High-Profile Bet (2)
Furthermore, because their respective Cave Abodes weren't far apart, they came and went frequently and exchanged information. Over time, they formed a considerable faction in the sect and were called the Hundred Islands.
Among the Hundred Islands, the Shan family was the leader, followed by the Li, Tang, and Duan influential families.
Therefore, Shan Wenqi had the highest status among everyone.
As soon as he arrived, he immediately became the center of attention in the hall.
After exchanging pleasantries, the banquet quickly began.
After three rounds of drinking, Shan Wenqi chatted about Lin Shen and told him about how he had sent Sun Linmao to issue a challenge.
Li Mengfei pondered for a moment and nodded.
"We have to get Goldstream Isle back. Aside from how precious this Cave Abode is, we can't let Lin Shen get what he wants because of what he stands for!"
Tang Ming and Duan Ziping felt the same way.
Lin Shen was already very popular, and now that he had become the direct disciple of Master Yu, he had almost become a benchmark figure in the younger generation of the master-disciple lineage. Every move he made would attract the attention of countless people.
If Shan Wenqi's Goldstream Isle was intercepted by Lin Shen, and he didn't do anything, wouldn't people think that the Shan family was afraid of Lin Shen?
Even the Hundred Islands' prestige would be damaged!
"Do you think Lin Shen will agree to give up Goldstream Isle?" Tang Ming touched his chin and asked.
"If that's the case, it'll save us a lot of trouble." Li Mengfei laughed, then shook his head. "However, I don't think it'll be that easy. If Lin Shen was really so easy to admit defeat, he wouldn't have been taken in as a disciple by Master Yu."
"That's right!"
Duan Ziping agreed with Li Mengfei.
"I've investigated Lin Shen. When he was in the Nine Yang Academy, he had conflicts with many influential families. First, it was the Yan family, the Peng family, and now, the Kuang family!
"Back then, when he had no background, he dared to go against the influential families and factions. Now that he has Master Yu as his backer, I believe he'll only become worse!"
"If you ask me, he won't hand over Goldstream Isle so easily!"
Shan Wenqi raised his wine cup and took a sip. He said indifferently, "Then let's fight!"
Li Mengfei glanced at him and said with a smile, "Wenqi looks very confident. Don't underestimate Lin Shen. After all, he has a first-grade spirit meridian!"
"So what?" Shan Wenqi sneered. "No matter how outstanding his talent is, he still needs time to transform into strength. Unless Lin Shen is given one or two more years to cultivate, he's not my match at all!"
No one was surprised by how arrogant Shan Wenqi was.
Shan Wenqi was already at the fourth level of the Spirit Nurturing Stage and had extraordinary cultivation techniques. He could even fight against ordinary fifth-level Spirit Nurturing Stage cultivators.
He would have to try if he wanted to lose against Lin Shen, who had just advanced not long ago!
After calming down, everyone started drinking and having fun.
A moment later, Dan Wenqi's expression changed, and he looked outside the door with a smile.
"Junior Brother Sun is back."
Everyone turned to look outside. Sure enough, not long after, Sun Linmao walked in quickly.
Seeing that Sun Linmao didn't look too happy, Shan Wenqi frowned and asked.
"Junior Brother Sun, how did it go?"
Sun Linmao braced himself and told Shan Wenqi what had happened.
Hearing this, everyone's eyelids twitched, and they looked at each other in dismay.
Shan Wenqi's face immediately darkened.
He had thought that Lin Shen might refuse to take the bet. As long as Lin Shen stayed on Goldstream Isle and didn't come out, he wouldn't be able to do anything to Lin Shen. That was why he used a provocative tone in the letter of challenge.
However, Lin Shen had accepted the challenge, but he wanted Shan Wenqi to use his cultivation Cave Abode as a bet.
"Lin Shen is too arrogant. Not only did he snatch away Goldstream Isle, but he also wants Gale Island. He's looking down on Wenqi. He's going too far!" Tang Ming snorted
The others also revealed indignant expressions.
But Li Mengfei smiled and said,
"Everyone, calm down.
"Since Lin Shen wants to bet on Gale Island, why not agree to it? In any case, he's not Wenqi's match. The so-called bet is just a joke!"
Everyone thought about it and agreed.
Shan Wenqi's gloomy expression also eased a lot.
Although Gale Island was his Cave Abode, his family had spent a lot of effort to help him obtain it. Strictly speaking, it wasn't something he could casually dispose of.
If he lost the bet, he would definitely be severely punished by the family.
Therefore, when he heard that Lin Shen wanted him to take out Gale Island as a bet, his first reaction was shock and anger.
However, after hearing Li Mengfei's words, he immediately felt relieved.
Indeed, Lin Shen was no match for him no matter what. Since that was the case, it did not matter what he used as a bet.
Thinking of this, Shan Wenqi calmed down, and his expression gradually returned to normal. He then revealed a cold smile.
"Alright, I agree!"
He turned to Sun Linmao and said, "Go and tell Lin Shen that I'll fight him on Goldstream Isle in ten days!"
After Sun Linmao received the order and left, Shan Wenqi sneered again.
"If Lin Shen doesn't agree to the bet, I really can't do anything to him. I didn't expect him to be blinded by greed and covet my Gale Island. That's good. I'll make him suffer a double loss ten days later!"
Li Mengfei and the others looked at each other and laughed as they raised their glasses.
"Then let's congratulate Wenqi on his victorious return!"
"Cheers!"
…
The news of Shan Wenqi and Lin Shen's bet quickly spread throughout the entire Nine Suns Sect!
Because Lin Shen was an influential figure in the sect, his every move was followed by countless people.
On the other hand, it was also because the people of the Hundred Islands had deliberately spread the news, wanting Lin Shen to lose to Shan Wenqi in front of everyone so that they could use this opportunity to attack Lin Shen's reputation.
In just four to five days, this gamble had attracted countless attention.
This development wasn't surprising.
After all, both sides had powerful backgrounds.
On one side was a cultivation genius who had been in the limelight recently.
The other party was also an elite true disciple of the younger generation with extraordinary strength.
More importantly, the two of them had the master-disciple lineage and influential families behind them.
In the eyes of those with discerning eyes, this was actually a collision between the two forces!
Even in the Nine Suns Sect, where disciples were encouraged to compete, such a bet was rare. Naturally, it attracted a lot of attention.
Before the gambling competition began, many disciples were already looking forward to it and decided to come and take a look that day.
Outside Goldstream Isle, a stream of light flew over and stopped above the island.
Lin Shen, who was cultivating, immediately sensed this familiar aura and deactivated the restriction.
The stream of light descended from the sky and landed in front of Lin Shen, revealing Xia Mengran.
"I heard you're competing with Shan Wenqi?"
Xia Mengran went straight to the point.
"That's right." Lin Shen nodded calmly.
Hearing this, Xia Mengran frowned slightly, but she didn't ask Lin Shen why he agreed. Instead, she asked,
"Do you think you'll win?"
"I do."
It was a simple answer, but it gave off a calm and powerful feeling, allowing people to clearly feel the confidence contained in it.
Xia Mengran looked at Lin Shen in surprise.
She had heard of Shan Wenqi's strength. Initially, she didn't think Lin Shen had much hope of defeating Shan Wenqi, and she thought that Lin Shen's decision to agree to the bet was too rash.
But now, it seemed that she had underestimated this junior brother.
After interacting with him a few times, Xia Mengran could tell that Lin Shen was not someone who spoke nonsense.
Since he said so, he must be quite confident!
Seeing this, Xia Mengran nodded and didn't say anything else. She turned around and left without hesitation, as energetic as when she came.
Watching Xia Mengran leave, Lin Shen couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. This senior sister was still as swift and decisive as ever.
Lin Shen restrained his distracting thoughts and continued cultivating.
Although he said that he was confident, he did not underestimate Shan Wenqi.
He had set the bet in ten days because he wanted to reserve some time to increase her strength.
With the dual talents of Genius and Innate Spirit Body, ten days were enough for him to break through to the second level of the Spirit Nurturing Stage!
Furthermore, if he cultivated with all his might, he might be able to condense a second drop of Nether Yin Heavy Water.
At that time, he could easily defeat Shan Wenqi with just two drops of Nether Yin Heavy Water.
Not long after.
The island returned to silence.
In places that couldn't be seen with the naked eye, a large amount of spiritual essence surged into Lin Shen's body like a river, constantly turning into a part of the Nether Yin Heavy Water.
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