Chapter 15: Do You Have a Sword?

That Shen Yue would suddenly issue such a challenge startled even Ye Zhaozhao.

’Was my provocation really that effective?’

Immediately, a glint of joy flashed in her eyes.

’Perfect, perfect, perfect.’

’The more of a scene Shen Yue and his cronies make, the better!’

’This Li Shuang has always been so proud of her Swordsmanship. But is her Swordsmanship really that formidable?’

Truth be told, Ye Zhaozhao had never really seen Li Shuang in action.

However, Long Yan had told her.

Li Shuang’s Talent for Swordsmanship was actually mediocre. The only reason she seemed so incredible was all thanks to his support!

Now...

...Li Shuang had lost the Dragon Roar Sword.

’What kind of Sword Dao genius is she now!’

’This is the perfect chance for Shen Yue to crush Li Shuang’s spirit in front of everyone and utterly destroy her reputation as a Sword Dao prodigy!’

"Li Shuang, do you dare accept?" Shen Yue asked, his gaze fixed on her.

Li Shuang’s expression was cool. "A sword duel with you? That’s hardly necessary."

’Sparring with someone of Shen Yue’s caliber would be of no benefit to me whatsoever.’

Shen Yue pressed, "What, are you scared?"

Li Shuang arched an eyebrow. "A waste of time."

She turned to Luo Mingyue and the others. "We have our resources. Let’s go."

Just as Li Shuang was about to leave...

Shen Yue stepped directly in her path. He said coldly, "A waste of time? You’ve got plenty of excuses. Why don’t we add some stakes! If I win, I won’t take the sword stone. Instead, you’ll continue to give the monthly Frost Flower to our little junior sister! The Frost Flower is utterly pure. You’re not worthy of it! If I lose... everything in this storage bag is yours!"

Shen Yue immediately emptied his storage bag, spreading its contents on the ground.

Li Shuang glanced over the items.

She, the grand senior sister, was dirt poor, but Shen Yue’s personal wealth was clearly substantial.

There was a considerable amount of ore, Elixir Pills, and Spirit Grass, and even several thousand low-grade spirit stones!

"If you lose, everything here is mine?" Li Shuang confirmed.

’If I get my hands on all this, the progress of my Heaven and Earth Melting Furnace will probably advance quite a bit.’

"Of course," Shen Yue sneered. "Do you really think you can win?"

Li Shuang nodded. "Fine, we have a deal. But I won’t let you be at a disadvantage. If you win, this month’s resources, plus the three hundred Mid Grade Spirit Stones Master just gave me, will be yours. Furthermore, I will personally deliver the monthly Frost Flower to Lingxu Peak!"

’Three hundred Mid Grade Spirit Stones?’

Shen Yue’s eyes lit up. All told, the value was roughly equivalent to what he had put up.

’If I win, my personal wealth will instantly double.’

Li Shuang took out her own storage bag. "However, we’ll need a notary for this, to prevent anyone from reneging on the deal."

Shen Yue was so incensed he almost laughed.

’It was rich of her to worry about him backing out, when he hadn’t even considered that she might!’

"If you two don’t mind, how about I serve as a witness?" Suddenly, a man with a gentle and refined bearing stepped out from the crowd.

Li Shuang glanced at him.

She wasn’t very familiar with the other disciples in the sect, but she recognized this man.

’The Sect Leader’s head disciple!’

Jiang Rongyi, the foremost among the younger generation of disciples, who had just ascended to the Divinity Transformation Stage.

Like the Sect Leader, Jiang Rongyi had a reputation within the sect for being an affable peacemaker.

Everyone who met him praised his gentlemanly conduct.

"I agree." Without hesitation, Li Shuang handed over her storage bag.

Jiang Rongyi accepted it and then turned to Shen Yue.

Shen Yue sneered. "Having Brother Jiang as a witness is for the best! I only hope that when this is over, it will put a stop to all those baseless rumors! I, Shen Yue, have always relied on my own strength!"

Shen Yue put his items back into his storage bag and handed it to Jiang Rongyi as well.

Jiang Rongyi smiled faintly. "The sect forbids unsanctioned conflicts. If you wish to duel with swords, you should go to the Martial Arts Arena."

That was only proper.

Both Li Shuang and Shen Yue agreed.

"Senior Sister, about this..." Liu Juncheng glanced at Luo Mingyue.

Luo Mingyue, on the other hand, looked relaxed. She sneered. "Li Shuang may be Scattering and Rebuilding her Cultivation, but her mastery of Swordsmanship hasn’t diminished in the slightest! Shen Yue and his third-rate sword skills are just asking to be humiliated!"

As a fellow prodigy, no one knew better than her just how terrifying Li Shuang’s Swordsmanship was.

What was that old saying?

The layman sees the spectacle, but the expert sees the technique.

A fool like Shen Yue couldn’t even see the vast chasm between his ability and Li Shuang’s!

Only when he truly stepped through the gates of the Sword Dao and witnessed Li Shuang’s Swordsmanship again would he understand.

He would understand the meaning of a gap as vast as that between a mayfly and the heavens.

Liu Juncheng nodded. "I’m not worried about that. I’m worried Shen Yue will act like a sore loser and refuse to pay up."

"With Brother Jiang as a witness, he shouldn’t dare to. But you can never be sure. We should still keep a close watch. After all... Li Shuang’s Cultivation is still rather weak at the moment," Luo Mingyue said.

Liu Juncheng and Jiang Yi both nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile...

Ye Zhaozhao deliberately summoned the Sword Spirit Long Yan.

"Master." Long Yan gazed at Ye Zhaozhao with adoration.

He had already signed a Sword Spirit’s Master and Servant Contract with Ye Zhaozhao, and he called her "Master" with complete willingness.

Ye Zhaozhao smiled sweetly. "Long Yan, you were with Li Shuang for so long. You must know the weaknesses in her Swordsmanship. Why don’t you tell Second Senior Brother?"

Just as Long Yan was about to speak...

Shen Yue’s expression immediately turned cold. "Zhaozhao, you don’t trust me?"

Ye Zhaozhao quickly replied, "No, that’s not it, Second Senior Brother. I just thought it would give you a better chance of winning."

Shen Yue said coldly, "There’s no need! I can do this on my own!"

’What a stubborn fool!’

Ye Zhaozhao cursed Shen Yue inwardly, but her smile never wavered. "I’m just so worried about you, Second Senior Brother. I suppose my concern is making me flustered."

Hearing this, the look in Shen Yue’s eyes softened. He gently ruffled Ye Zhaozhao’s hair. "Just wait. I’ll win that Frost Flower back for you."

Ye Zhaozhao immediately gave him a look of complete trust.

A wave of tenderness washed over Shen Yue.

’Zhaozhao is such a kind and wonderful person.’

’Every time she wears the Frost Flower, she looks so perfect with it.’

’A pristine flower for a pristine person.’

’He would definitely win this flower for his little junior sister!’

They made their way to the dueling platform.

Without hesitation, Shen Yue leaped onto the platform. His eyes burned with fighting spirit as he faced Li Shuang. "Senior Sister Li! Let us begin!"

Li Shuang arched an eyebrow and made to walk onto the platform.

Suddenly, Ye Zhaozhao’s concerned voice rang out.

"Senior Sister Li, what sword will you be using for this duel? I would have lent you the Dragon Roar, but it has already acknowledged a master and can’t be wielded by anyone else."

Long Yan stood silently beside Ye Zhaozhao. She held the Dragon Roar Sword in her hand, its blade glinting with a cold light.

Li Shuang gave them a casual glance and smiled faintly.

’Long Yan, who had once refused to form a contract with her no matter what, had now immediately bound himself to Ye Zhaozhao. And with the strictest Master and Servant Contract, no less.’

But...

’...that was no longer her concern.’

Li Shuang calmly averted her gaze, walked straight past Ye Zhaozhao, and ascended the platform one step at a time.

Completely ignored, Long Yan couldn’t help the flicker of annoyance that appeared in his eyes.

’He’d just have to wait and see where Li Shuang was going to pull a Peerless Treasure Sword from now that she didn’t have him!’