Chapter 552: Duel Invitation for Magical Combat
If it weren’t for Shen Xuan’s reputation and the formidable protection array of Starlight Island, he would have attacked long ago, without wasting so many words.
"The truth does not lie in the loudness of one’s voice."
Shen Xuan chuckled lightly.
"Zheng Jinrui, both you and I are Core Formation True Masters; there’s no need to argue pointlessly."
"For the sake of the Profound Celestial Sect, considering it’s your first offense, I won’t hold it against you."
"Zheng Jinrui, guide your warship and go back."
"You’re well aware. Such a warship is no match against my Starlight Island’s protection array."
Hearing this, Zheng Jinrui’s expression froze.
After a long pause, he finally said: "Shen Xuan, not only do you refuse to admit your mistake, but you also threaten me relying on Starlight Island’s array?"
Shen Xuan sighed.
"Zheng Jinrui, you overestimate yourself."
"How about this. If you’re not convinced, you can invite a few fellow Daoists from the Profound Celestial Sect as witnesses. We can have an open duel."
"If I lose, I’ll immediately return to the Cyan Cloud Sect. Everything on this Starlight Island will be yours."
Zheng Jinrui was stunned on the spot.
He didn’t expect Shen Xuan to propose such a heavy wager.
This is Starlight Island.
A Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Island.
Though as a Spirit Island, its quality isn’t comparable to a land-based Spirit Vein of the same tier.
But still, this is the domain of a Golden Core True Master.
Shen Xuan has resided here for over ten years.
Starlight Island has rapidly developed; even the market has expanded into Starlight Immortal City.
If he could reclaim Starlight Island.
The entire Profound Celestial Sect would be grateful to him.
The sect’s meritorious service points would be a huge number.
Zheng Jinrui was tempted.
"Shen Xuan, you said it yourself. I didn’t force you!"
Shen Xuan’s smile remained unchanged.
"Zheng Jinrui, I’ve heard your Zheng Family has a family heirloom called the Jin Gang Circle. My demand is not high. If you lose, just give me the Jin Gang Circle, and from then on, whenever someone from your Zheng Family sees me, they should roll away as far as possible!"
...
Two months later.
Starlight Island, outer beach.
Shen Xuan was chatting with Celestial Wind True Master.
"I didn’t expect Senior Brother Celestial Wind to come in person. Once this matter is settled, Profound Ice will prepare a banquet to properly entertain Senior Brother Celestial Wind!"
"You!"
Celestial Wind True Master shook his head.
"With sect wars between Yan and Song countries, the front line is tense, and the situation doesn’t look optimistic. Senior Brothers Spirit Sword and Mysterious Trace are at their wits’ end, and here you are creating such a scene!"
"Senior Brother Celestial Wind, please allow me to explain. The instigator of this issue was Zheng Jinrui. Profound Ice was forced to counterattack."
"Alright. When I came, Senior Brother Mysterious Trace repeatedly instructed. As long as you win, let it go. Show mercy, and don’t take his life."
"Profound Ice understands."
Shen Xuan said with a smile.
He never intended to take Zheng Jinrui’s life.
He planned to severely weaken him so that he’d take over a decade to recover.
At this moment, an escape light flew over and landed, revealing the figure of a cultivator with a bitter expression, exuding the aura of a Golden Core Middle Stage.
It was True Master Xuan Ku from the Profound Celestial Sect, whom Shen Xuan had met once before.
Celestial Wind True Master led Shen Xuan and went up to greet him.
"Brother Xuan Ku, it’s been years, and you still look as impressive as ever!"
True Master Xuan Ku smiled wryly: "Celestial Wind, your junior brother Profound Ice is rather aggressive."
Celestial Wind True Master said calmly: "Brother Xuan Ku, I heard it was Fellow Daoist Zheng who attacked Starlight Island?"
"Enough. At this point, there’s nothing to argue about; let’s see the real results in action."
True Master Xuan Ku glanced at Shen Xuan and sighed.
Not long after, several more escape lights flew over.
They were True Master Chishu and True Master Ling You from the Profound Celestial Sect, True Master Wufeng from the Divine Sword Sect, and a few other island masters nearby.
All were Core Formation True Masters from the seven sects of Song Country.
Everyone stepped forward to greet True Master Xuan Ku and Celestial Wind True Master.
True Master Wufeng approached Shen Xuan and transmitted with his Divine Soul: "Zheng Jinrui has been in Core Formation for a hundred years, True Pill Middle Stage, from a sect family, with the life-bound spiritual artifact, the Seven Star Gengjin Sword. He mastered the divine powers of the Invisibly Gengjin Sword Qi and the Indestructible Golden Body. In his possession is also the ancestral spiritual artifact Jin Gang Circle, as heavy as a mountain, with a force of ten thousand tons. Fellow Daoist Profound Ice must not underestimate him."
Shen Xuan nodded.
He knew Nie Wuhen deliberately provided Zheng Jinrui’s details to show goodwill.
He had already learned this information from Wan Meng the Demon Lord.
In even greater detail than what Nie Wuhen described.
But he wanted to acknowledge the thoughtful gesture.
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wufeng. Profound Ice does not fight unprepared battles."
"In this battle, Profound Ice has ninety-nine percent confidence."
"That’s good."
As the two transmitted messages via their Divine Souls, a grand warship flew in from the eastern sky.
"Zheng Jinrui is here!"
Someone suddenly exclaimed: "Why is Patriarch Zheng here too?"
"After all, it involves the Zheng family’s ancestral spiritual artifact."
"Alas, in this duel, both True Master Profound Ice and True Master Jinrui cannot afford to lose!"
They all knew the origin of the matter.
Yet all pretended to be ignorant.
In the end, as long as personal significant interests aren’t involved.
The best stance in others’ conflicts is to remain neutral as an observer, without easily taking sides.
...
Shen Xuan wagered Starlight Island against Zheng Jinrui in magical combat.
Winning would only earn him the Zheng family’s Jin Gang Circle.
No matter how it’s viewed, the value of Starlight Island far exceeds that of the Jin Gang Circle.
By at least a dozen times.
This was also why Zheng Jinrui was tempted.
To take a gamble, turning a bicycle into a motorcycle.
If he defeats Shen Xuan, he could own a Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Island.
It wasn’t just Zheng Jinrui.
For the Zheng family of Jinlan Mountain, it was a matter of family revival.
To ensure fairness, both the Profound Celestial Sect and the Cyan Cloud Sect each dispatched a Golden Core True Master as a witness.
Furthermore, several other True Masters were invited to witness jointly.
The process of magical combat between both parties was recorded.
In this way, neither party could deny the results.
The Zheng family warship landed.
Patriarch Zheng and Zheng Jinrui disembarked from the warship and approached True Master Xuan Ku.
The three of them conversed for a while.
True Master Xuan Ku offered a few words of advice.
Ultimately, Patriarch Zheng and Zheng Jinrui did not heed the advice.
Starlight Island, this Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Island, was too tempting.
Moreover, at this point, there was no room for them to retreat.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, if the Zheng family of Jinlan Mountain backs out, they would lose face and never show themselves again.
Yet, the Qin family of Purple Maple Mountain did not send a single person.
Clearly, they didn’t intend to get involved in this messy situation.
Shen Xuan was in no hurry.
"I wonder what good things I can exchange the Vajra Ring for."
Currently, his wealth is abundant.
However, the most needed Tier Three Divine Dragon Descendant Demon Core Essence Blood was nowhere to be found.
Shen Xuan plans to store some high-grade Tier Three Spiritual Objects.
Seeking opportunities to trade for the Tier Three Divine Dragon Descendant Demon Core Essence Blood.
After all, he practiced hard for thirty years to master [Dragon Blood Boiling].
And even if he mastered it.
Like the Longevity Divine Power, there would still be a bottleneck.
Eventually, True Master Xuan Ku brought over Patriarch Zheng and Zheng Jinrui.
"True Master Profound Ice, True Master Jinrui, you insist on engaging in Magical Combat, and my attempts to dissuade have failed."
"But, we are all part of the seven sects of Song Country. I hope you both will stop once victory is decided, and when we call for a halt, you must immediately stop."
"Under no circumstances should you harm the other’s life. True Master Celestial Wind, what do you think?"
True Master Celestial Wind chuckled, "What Brother Xuan Ku says is exactly what Celestial Wind wishes to say. Brother Profound Ice, winning is sufficient. Exercise restraint and do not harm True Master Jinrui."
Everyone present heard clearly.
This True Master Celestial Wind was full of confidence.
He had no concern about Shen Xuan losing.
Considering it, it made sense.
Zheng Jinrui wagered merely a Spiritual Artifact Vajra Ring.
Shen Xuan wagered the Tier Three Upper Grade venue Starlight Island.
Their values differ vastly.
If Shen Xuan didn’t have absolute confidence in victory, he would be at a great loss.
"Fellow Daoist Celestial Wind, who will win, remains uncertain."
Patriarch Zheng, who is in the Late Stage of True Pill, is older than True Master Celestial Wind.
"Jinrui, fight with all your might later, no need to hold back."
"If True Master Profound Ice can’t withstand it, True Master Celestial Wind will provide relief."
Shen Xuan smiled slightly.
"Brother Zheng, rest assured, Senior Brother Celestial Wind will definitely not intervene."
He glanced over at Zheng Jinrui.
"As we are both Core Formation True Masters, let’s determine the outcome through Magical Combat rather than words."
In the Cultivation Realm, power is revered.
Right or wrong isn’t that critical.
It’s always the one with stronger fists that has the final say.
When sects from Yan Country invaded sects from Song Country, everyone knew the sects from Yan Country were in the wrong.
But so what!
Weakness is the root of sin.
If you can’t win, you can only swallow the bitter fruit.
This is true for nations, sects, and even more so for individuals.
Why do cultivators desire to join a Major Sect?
It’s more comfortable under the shade of a big tree.
Not only does the path become smoother.
The identity status of a sect disciple can avoid many unnecessary troubles.
For Shen Xuan.
He had neither the time nor the energy to tangle with Zheng Jinrui.
With a suppression of power, directly defeat him.
Not only will he rightfully seize the Zheng family’s ancestral Spiritual Artifact Vajra Ring.
He can also intimidate other malicious people.
As for Zheng Jinrui, who formed his Core a hundred years ago and possesses vast Divine Power and immense Magical Power, truly being able to defeat him.
The possibility is extremely low.
Shen Xuan has been diligently cultivating on Starlight Island for over a decade.
If he can’t even defeat an average True Pill Middle Stage like Zheng Jinrui.
Then he should not dream of the Nascent Soul Grand Path.
True Master Xuan Ku sighed.
"Alright. You two, come over and sign the Spirit Contract for Magical Combat. Everyone bear witness!"
Shen Xuan stepped forward, using his Divine Sense to scan the Spirit Contract’s content.
It matched the previous agreement.
If he wins, the Zheng family of Jinlan Mountain will give him the ancestral Spiritual Artifact Vajra Ring as a reward.
If he loses, he will return Starlight City to the Profound Celestial Sect and return to the Cyan Cloud Sect immediately.
The Spirit Contract didn’t mention Qin Yuehan.
Shen Xuan glanced at True Master Celestial Wind.
Seeing him slightly nodding.
He signed his way name and imprinted his Spiritual Power on the three identical Spirit Contracts.
After Zheng Jinrui signed and imprinted his Spiritual Power.
Both arrived at the open space on the shore.
True Master Xuan Ku, True Master Celestial Wind, Patriarch Zheng, True Master Wu Feng, True Master Chishu, True Master Ling You, the nearby island masters, all came forward to watch.
Shen Xuan was calm and composed, his expression was one of confidence: "Please, Fellow Daoist Jinrui, make your move first, lest others say I’m bullying the elderly!"
Opposite, Zheng Jinrui certainly wouldn’t be polite.
Patriarch Zheng had instructed him to give his all.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, be careful!"
Zheng Jinrui snorted coldly and attacked first.
His hands formed a Spell.
A golden Flying Sword suddenly appeared, emitting a crisp sword whistling sound.
The Flying Sword was dazzling, inlaid with seven star points, precisely his many years cultivated Lifebound Spiritual Artifact: Seven-Star Gengjin Sword.
Zheng Jinrui, knowing Shen Xuan’s formidable power, held nothing back and attacked swiftly.
Subsequently, Zheng Jinrui gestured with the Sword Technique, the Seven-Star Gengjin Sword flared brightly, instantly transforming into hundreds of sharp and fierce Gengjin Sword Qi, shooting towards Shen Xuan like a storm.
"Invisible Gengjin Sword Qi!"
Nie Wu Hen exclaimed, "How fortunate to see with our own eyes the sword Dao of the Zheng family of Jinlan Mountain today!"
"True Master Jinrui has been a Core Formation True Master for a hundred years; this hand of Invisible Gengjin Sword Qi has reached perfection. True Master Profound Ice, having only formed his Core for ten years, will find it hard to deal with!"
An island master from the Golden Sun Sect sighed.