Chapter 2869: Show Me Your Sincerity!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The second man who had spoken up and was walking toward Duan Ling Tian was none other than Ji Fan, the Arhat of the Blissful Sect.

In just a blink of an eye, Ji Fan had walked next to Xiao Gang Yu, the Chief Celestial Alchemist of the Blissful Sect, as he looked at Duan Ling Tian condescendingly. Since he was not completely certain if Duan Ling Tian came from a powerful clan in the central area, he and the people of the Blissful Sect did not dare to provoke Duan Ling Tian outright. However, it did not stop him from mocking or taunting Duan Ling Tian, thinking it would fine as long as he did not take things too far.

“Oh?” Duan Ling Tian only glanced at Ji Fan briefly before he shifted his eyes to Xiao Gang Yu. “Is that so, Master Xiao? How would you like to bet?”

Upon seeing Duan Ling Tian’s disregard for him, Ji Fan’s expression darkened immediately. As the Arhat of the Blissful Sect, even the sect leaders of the top sects in the Six Southeastern Regions were respectful to him. How could he not be angered when Duan Ling Tian blatantly ignored him? Without waiting for Xiao Gang Yu’s reply, he said coldly, “Master Xiao will compete with you to see who has a higher success rate in refining the Overarching Heaven Pills!” Then, he scoffed before he continued to say contemptuously, “It’s fine if you refuse to compete. After all, your alchemy skills are only mediocre. It’s only natural that you can’t compare to our sect’s Chief Celestial Alchemist.”

“The success rate of refining Overarching Heaven Pills?” Duan Ling Tian looked at Ji Fan as though Ji Fan was a fool as he said, “I believe almost everyone in Alchemy City is aware of my success rate in refining Overarching Heaven Pills. About a month ago, I had successfully refined three Overarching Heaven Pills outside of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect’s shop. I’m sure everyone knows about it, right?” He could clearly see through Ji Fan’s hidden motives.

Upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words, Ji Fan’s expression soured. Even Xiao Gang Yu who was standing next to him looked slightly embarrassed. Indeed, they had approached Duan Ling Tian because they were aware of his success rate of refining Overarching Heaven Pills. They planned to take advantage of Duan Ling Tian with the information they had. They had expected Duan Ling Tian to be provoked into agreeing to a bet; who knew Duan Ling Tian would remain calm and even openly lay out the facts.

Ji Fan and Xiao Gang Yu were certain their plan was foiled when Duan Ling Tian looked at them with great interest and said, “Continue… What do you want to use as stakes?

“Hm?” Ji Fan and Xiao Gang Yu looked at each other in disbelief. They did not expect Duan Ling Tian to agree to the bet since Duan Ling Tian was clearly aware of what was going on.

Xiao Gang Yu sent a Voice Transmission to Ji Fan. “Arhat, under such circumstances, it’s unlikely that he’ll really agree to compete with me. It’s likely that he’s just trying to find out what we want from him.”

Ji Fan had the same thought as well. There was no way Duan Ling Tian would agree to compete with Xiao Gang Yu to see who had a higher success rate in refining the Overarching Heaven Pill. Therefore, he smirked coldly and said, “What’s the point of asking if you dare not compete with Master Xiao?”

“Dare not compete?” Duan Ling Tian was slightly taken aback by Ji Fan’s words. He looked at Ji Fan intently before he said, “Who said so? If I dare not compete, why would I ask such a question?”

Ji Fan and Xiao Gang Yu were stunned when they heard Duan Ling Tian’s reply. Did this mean Duan Ling Tian agreed to bet with them?

Ji Fan asked, somewhat skeptical, “So you accept the challenge?”

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t,” Duan Ling Tian replied.

Ji Fan and Xiao Gang Fan fell silent as they exchanged a glance again, confused at the sudden turn of events.

Xiao Gang Yu asked through Voice Transmission, “Arhat, Duan Ling Tian is well aware that we’re privy to his success rate of refining Overarching Heaven Pills, and yet, he readily accepts the challenge. Do you think he might be hiding his skills?”

Ji Fan said skeptically, “Impossible. A month ago, he had to refine Overarching Heaven Pills to prove himself to the people from the Supporting Sun Celestial Sect and the Thousand Leaves Celestial Sect. How could he have hidden his true abilities if he was trying to prove himself at that time? Unless he could predict today’s challenge from a month ago, do you really think it’s possible that he’s hiding his skills?”

“You’re right.” Xiao Gang Yu nodded in response. He felt that Ji Fan’s explanation made sense. After all, there was no way Duan Ling Tian could know they would challenge him today. However, he was not completely convinced; he could not help feeling that something was amiss. He asked doubtfully, “Then, why does he seem so confident in competing with me?”

“Master Xiao, he must be putting on a front to confuse us and make us think he’s hiding his true abilities. Perhaps, he’s hoping to frighten us into backing off. If we back down, not only would he not suffer any losses, but people would think you’re inferior to him as well!” Ji Fan said as his eyes flashed.

“That must be it.” After listening to Ji Fan’s speculation, Xiao Gang Yu was convinced Duan Ling Tian was only putting up a front to make them back down.

After Ji Fan finished conversing with Xiao Gang Yu through Voice Transmission, Ji Fan looked at Duan Ling Tian and said, revealing his intention, “Very well… Since Master Duan is up for it, then, you’ll compete with Master Xiao to see who has a higher success rate in refining Overarching Heaven Pills. I’ll be blunt; we want the Duke Grade Celestial Method and Divine Ability you won from the Sun Supporting Celestial Sect and the Thousand Leaves Celestial Sect.”

A month ago, Duan Ling Tian had won a double-trait Duke Grade Celestial Method and double-trait Duke Grade Divine Ability respectively from the Supporting Celestial Sect and the Thousand Leaves Celestial Sect. Ji Fan clearly coveted them.

“The double-trait Duke Grade Celestial Method and Divine Ability?” Duan Ling Tian feigned surprise and shook his head as he said, “You should know the Memory Celestial Talismans I have are sole copies of the Duke Grade Celestial Method and Divine Ability. If I give them away, it’d be a complete loss for me since I’ve yet to master them or copy them into another Memory Celestial Talisman. For this reason, their values are even higher to me!”

“Indeed.” Ji Fan nodded in agreement. “Therefore, the Blissful Sect will use two double-trait Duke Grade Celestial Methods and one double-trait Duke Grade Divine Ability as stakes.”

Upon hearing Ji Fan’s words, Duan Ling Tian burst out laughing immediately.

“Why are you laughing?” Ji Fan asked apprehensively. It was clear he knew that the two double-trait Duke Grade Celestial Methods and one double-trait Duke Grade Divine Ability from the Blissful Sect were not as valuable since they were just copies. Even if he had to give them to Duan Ling Tian, the sect would not suffer any losses. On the contrary, if Duan Ling Tian lost his double-trait Duke Grade Celestial Method and Divine Ability, Duan Ling Tian would suffer a big loss.

Duan Ling Tian looked at Ji Fan and said scornfully, “If this is all the Blissful Sect has to offer, then, I’m not interested in competing with Master Xiao. If you truly want to make a bet with me, you’ll have to show me your sincerity!”

As time passed, Duan Ling Tian and Ji Fan’s conversation drew the crowd’s attention. Many people began to gather around them, attracted by the commotion. After all, they were curious about Duan Ling Tian, the talented Chief Celestial Alchemist from the Tai Yi Celestial Sect who recently became famous in Alchemy City. He was not even 100 years old, but he was a prominent Celestial Alchemist capable of refining the prominent Celestial Pill, the Overarching Heaven Pill!