C10 Spirit Stone

Zhang Tiankui vaulted from the eighth floor, rapidly closing in on the streak of light that wasn't moving all that fast. A vicious grin spread across his lips.

Intercepting this gift and presenting it to Lord Wang Ruhai would not only humiliate Lee Qingyun but also allow him to rise above him and carve out a reputation for himself in all of Deepmere.

Above all, he'd publicly settle the score with Xiaoyu, who would surely be indebted to him!

Zhang Tiankui swung his right arm out, attempting to snatch the light!

But then, something incredible happened. As the light neared Zhang Tiankui's grasp, it abruptly halted and swerved, avoiding him completely!

Zhang Tiankui cursed his luck, suspended in midair. Though as a Foundation Establishment cultivator he had some ability to pause in flight, he needed something to brace against, and without it, he could only watch helplessly as the gift, mere inches away, wobbled upward and out of reach.

Fong Yong's eyes widened in disbelief as the light danced around Zhang Tiankui's hand. He burst into applause, exclaiming, "Bravo!"

His praise sparked a wave of cheers from the sixth floor, turning Zhang Tiankui and Lee Qingyun's confrontation into a spectacle.

The guests above the sixth floor were inwardly astounded. Lee Qingyun had been dismissed as a hopeless case, but three years on, it seemed he had made strides, enough to outmaneuver Zhang Tiankui.

Zhang Tiankui, failing to capture the light, lost his momentum and stumbled down to the seventh floor.

Meanwhile, Lee Qingyun stood on the first floor, his face a mask of indifference as he taunted Zhang Tiankui with a gesture. But instead of a pinky, Lee Qingyun defiantly raised his middle finger.

"Lee Qingyun, you've truly enraged me this time..." Zhang Tiankui pounded his fist into the ground, his face contorted with rage as he spat out the words.

Regaining his composure, Zhang Tiankui rose to his feet and chuckled, "Hehe, I was merely jesting with Sect Master Lee. I didn't expect him to take it so seriously and to send me tumbling. My apologies for the spectacle."

The guests below erupted into knowing laughter upon hearing his words.

"Now, it's time for the main event—the duel between me and Sect Master Lee!"

The guests' interest had been stoked by the successive exchanges between Zhang Tiankui and Lee Qingyun. Now, they were all cheering and clapping enthusiastically. Some of the younger disciples even let out whistles and high-pitched cheers.

Zhang Tiankui grinned smugly, "Sect Master Lee? Aren't you coming up?"

Fong Yong's lips twitched, wanting to step forward and offer Lee Qingyun a word of caution. Yet, he suddenly felt a vast gap between their statuses and couldn't bring himself to speak. All he could do was open his mouth and give Lee Qingyun a respectful nod.

Sensing something, Lee Qingyun turned, acknowledged Fong Yong with a nod and a smile, then sprang into action. He deftly used the surrounding fences to vault himself up to the eighth floor, coming to a silent stand-off with Zhang Tiankui.

Zhang Tiankui taunted, "I didn't think you'd actually have the courage to face me."

Lee Qingyun retorted, "And I didn't think you'd have the audacity to challenge me."

"Haha! You're nothing but low-grade Dao Foundation trash. This isn't a challenge for me, a cultivator with a medium-grade Dao Foundation—it's an annihilation!" Zhang Tiankui's laughter boomed across the room.

His words sparked a moment of clarity among the guests. So, Zhang Tiankui was a medium-grade Dao Foundation genius, while Lee Qingyun was merely a cultivator with the lowest of low-grade Dao Foundations.

"No wonder Zhang Tiankui has the confidence to challenge Lee Qingyun. It all makes sense now..."

"With this in mind, there doesn't seem to be much suspense between a medium-grade and a low-grade Dao Foundation."

"Still, this doesn't bode well for Sect Master Lee's reputation, does it?"

"Cough... Perhaps he has a strategy up his sleeve. He might even manage a tie."

"..."

Lee Qingyun challenged, "On what grounds are you challenging me? You're just a junior disciple, and yet you dare to challenge me, the leader of a sect?"

"Your Twin Rage Sect is all name and no substance. What kind of sect master does that make you?" Zhang Tiankui had thrown all pretense aside, speaking his mind without restraint.

At that moment, Wang Ruhai's voice echoed down from the ninth layer.

"Zhang Tiankui's boldness in issuing a challenge is admirable, but for a disciple to challenge a sect master is quite unseemly."

His words found immediate agreement among the guests.

"Exactly."

"It does seem a bit inappropriate."

"…"

Lee Qingyun spoke up, "Mr. Wang Ruhai makes a valid point. By challenging me, Zhang Tiankui stands to gain fame using my reputation, win or lose."

"But what if he wins? I'd lose all my dignity. Why should I accept a challenge that offers me no benefits?"

"What's your take on that, Zhang Tiankui?"

Caught off guard, Zhang Tiankui blurted out, "This... This is nothing but a cowardly excuse!"

Lee Qingyun just sneered, offering no reply.

Wang Ruhai's voice filled the air once more, "What if we do this? If Zhang Tiankui loses, it'll prove he's bitten off more than he can chew. Let's have him pay a price for his presumption."

Lee Qingyun responded, "I shall give the young man an opportunity, then."

It was then that Ye Xiaoyu, seated quietly to the side, chimed in, "Mr. Wang, the low-grade spirit stone from the Zhang family seems quite fine. It would make an excellent wager for Zhang Tiankui's challenge, don't you think?"

Wang Ruhai laughed heartily, "Indeed, that's a splendid idea."

Below them, Zhang Tiankui's face was a mask of confusion. In just a few moments, these individuals had made decisions on his behalf, and his beloved Xiaoyu had even suggested using their family's entire congratulatory gift as a stake...

This was not what Senior Sister Lau had in mind... Was he being sold out?

He shook his head in denial. No, it couldn't be. He was certain he could defeat Lee Qingyun. Xiaoyu, his goddess, wouldn't possibly side with that scoundrel. Surely, she was aligning with him, and using the family's gift as a stake was simply to legitimize his claim.

Meanwhile, Lee Qingyun was inwardly delighted. Xiaoyu truly knew him well—how did she guess that he had been coveting that stone all along?

Low-grade spirit stones can serve as the energy core for a spirit gathering formation, yet none of these sects possess such a formation. And the sects affluent enough to establish one don't covet these stones, diminishing their worth in this region. They're simply overlooked.

Lee Qingyun stumbled upon this oversight and, realizing the opportunity, a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

Zhang Tiankui caught the upturn of Lee Qingyun's lips. He was smiling? Did this fool truly delude himself into thinking he had victory in the bag?

With a scoff, Zhang Tiankui said, "Sect Master Lee, spirit stones may be valuable, but one must be worthy of obtaining them."

"I had intended to spare you some dignity, but it's clear now that you, of all people, don't deserve any restraint on my part," Zhang Tiankui declared with disdain.

The smile on Lee Qingyun's face solidified as he turned to face Zhang Tiankui with a steady gaze.

"Let me return the sentiment: you're hardly one to speak of worthiness."