Chapter 783: Chapter 780: The Wager Duel
After halting their squabble, Sun Miaohan’s gaze involuntarily fell on the long sword in Ji Dantong’s arms. Her eyes lit up immediately: "Isn’t this the sword from that blueprint your admirer drew? It’s forged so quickly?!"
"Wha, what admirer, I don’t understand what you’re talking about!" Ji Dantong denied without showing any emotion, but a flicker of panic in her eyes was unavoidable.
Sun Miaohan rolled her eyes: "Regardless of whether it’s your admirer or not, since it’s done, why don’t we test its power?!"
"Sure!" Ji Dantong was just worried about not having an opportunity to vent. Sun Miaohan’s provocation was exactly what she wished for, both for her pride and her inner desire.
"Great!" Sun Miaohan exclaimed with admiration, then changed the subject: "However, since it’s a duel, it can’t just be child’s play. To prevent either side from holding back, how about we make a wager?"
This time, Ji Dantong didn’t agree immediately but cautiously asked: "What do you want to bet?!"
You can’t really blame her for being careful; growing up, Ji Dantong lost quite a few good things to Sun Miaohan through such wagers. Hearing such words from her again, she instinctively suspected foul play.
"It’s nothing much." Sun Miaohan said casually: "If you lose, just give me your sword. If I lose..."
Sun Miaohan paused at this point, as if she had never considered the possibility, before continuing: "I’ll give you the ’Fairy’s Tears’ given to me by our master!"
When Sun Miaohan mentioned Fairy’s Tears, Ji Dantong’s expression changed. It was indeed a rare treasure.
Fairy’s Tears was the cinnabar mark on Sun Miaohan’s brow. Although it looked as though it was naturally there, it was indeed not the case.
This treasure, when a disciple in the sect reaches a certain level of growth, would be personally bestowed by Sect Leader Xu Ming. In a way, it symbolizes status and honor!
Moreover, despite its unassuming appearance, Fairy’s Tears is as valuable as a second life. If True Qi runs out at a critical moment, consuming Fairy’s Tears can instantly restore it, turning the tide!
For Ji Dantong, she was only about six months away from receiving Fairy’s Tears herself, but who wouldn’t want to have an extra piece of such a rare treasure?!
At this point, Ji Dantong hesitated. She was indeed tempted by Sun Miaohan’s terms, but to bet her sword against her made her think twice.
As Ji Dantong was wavering, Sun Miaohan coaxed from the side: "You must think this through, Sister. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you win this wager, the benefits will be endless!"
"First of all, you will be unique among the disciples for possessing Fairy’s Tears even before the Master bestows it upon you."
Sun Miaohan continued listing: "Moreover, if you defeat me, your reputation in the sect will reach unprecedented heights, proving your exceptional prowess!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Dantong’s indifferent expression finally showed an imperceptible change. Being unique among disciples and having an unparalleled reputation were not her main concerns.
The real appeal was Sun Miaohan’s final point: to defeat Sun Miaohan, proving her strengths and stepping over her would be the happiest thing in the world!
However thinking was one thing; before achieving that, the crucial premise was to win. If she lost, not only would her sword be taken, but her face would also be lost!
Calming her mind, Ji Dantong began seriously calculating her odds against Sun Miaohan. In terms of sheer strength, they weren’t so mismatched that the outcome was clear-cut, with perhaps only a 20% difference.
But that was just in terms of raw True Qi power. In tactics and strategy, Ji Dantong lagged quite behind Sun Miaohan in this respect.
Granted, Ji Dantong was incredibly intelligent, with honed intuition, but against the always cunning and adaptable Sun Miaohan, she wasn’t confident of a sure win.
Besides, it would depend on the weapon’s enhancement. Now having the cherished sword, Ji Dantong had a visible advantage in tools, but it was still early, and her compatibility and skills with the sword needed seasoning.
Thus, even with a Divine Weapon in hand, she wasn’t confident in fully wielding its power.
Seeing Ji Dantong’s hesitation, Sun Miaohan smiled generously: "No need to worry, Sister. Since you just got the sword, you’ll need time to adapt. We can postpone our wager."
Ji Dantong raised an eyebrow, initially wanting to deny that her sword was forged by Deng Shulan, but then thought denying it might appear evasive, considering Sun Miaohan hadn’t specified who the blacksmith was.
With this thought, Ji Dantong reluctantly pressed down her annoyance and questioned: "Are you really so kind-hearted?!"
"You always misunderstand me, Sister, it breaks my heart!"
Seeing Sun Miaohan pretend to wipe tears from the corners of her eyes, Ji Dantong found it unbearably nauseating. The same old act after all these years, really?
Yet, with Sun Miaohan’s ruckus, Ji Dantong felt there was no harm in facing off against her. Given time to adeptly wield her Proud Snow Evil Shadow Bamboo enhanced blade, her strength will be at least 30% stronger.
In that case, the outcome might not be so clear, especially since refusing a challenge wasn’t something Ji Dantong could do!
"Alright, a week from now." Ji Dantong said firmly, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"See you in the arena!" Sun Miaohan retorted sharply, showing no signs of backing down.
Having said this, the two turned and left, leaving Bai Xiaoxuan standing there, somewhat at a loss...
Moments after, regaining her composure, Bai Xiaoxuan briskly ran in the direction of Xu Ming’s pavilion.
"Clang!"
At the loud bang, the Immortal Envoys studying on the second floor were startled, turning their eyes towards the door, where Bai Xiaoxuan stood small and fragile.
"S-Sorry, I’m here to see Master!" Bai Xiaoxuan immediately turned pale, instinctively taking two steps back.
Well-versed in the sect rules, Bai Xiaoxuan knew she’d committed a serious error, and her heart filled with fear, her eyes welling with mist.
But at her young age and still immature mind, Bai Xiaoxuan clearly underestimated her importance in the sect...
