The Eastern Ridge Mansion’s Trading Conference this time was being held at the Seven Kills Valley.
Apart from the Pure Yang Sect, the Seven Kills Valley, and the Wanqi clan, the Alliance of Benevolence and Justice and the Dragon Martial Divine Sect would also be attending the Trading Conference. Among these top five emperor-rank forces in the Eastern Ridge Mansion, the Pure Yang Sect, the Seven Kills Valley, and the Dragon Martial Divine Sect were sects while the Wan Qi clan was, as its name suggested, a clan. As for the Alliance of Benevolence and Justice, it was neither a sect nor a clan; it was an alliance formed by a group of sectless cultivators. Those in the alliance had more freedom compared to those from sects. Nonetheless, the operation of the alliance was no different than that of a sect.
At this moment, the elders in charge of leading the entourage from theAlliance of Benevolence and Justice and the Dragon Martial Divine Sect to the venue of the Trading Conference respectively, received news about Duan Ling Tian and Wanqi Hong’s fight. They wasted no time in informing the others about it.
“I just received news that the prodigy from the Pure Yang Sect, Duan Ling Tian, will be fighting Wanqi Hong, the prodigy from the Wanqi clan. They’re also betting on the fight.”
Those from the two forces were surprised and curious when they heard about the fight.
“How did those two get into a fight?”
“Duan Ling Tian and Wanqi Hong are both prodigies in their respective forces. Wanqi Hong has always been the most outstanding among the younger generation in the Wanqi clan. As for Duan Ling Tian, I received news not long ago that he has already become an intermediate Lord of Gods. It’s almost impossible to find someone among the younger generation in the Pure Yang Sect who’s a match for him.”
“Betting? What are they using to bet?”
The elders of the Seven Kills Valley responsible for leading the two forces respectively quickly explained the matter to them. With that, they soon learned that the initiator of this incident was Zhen Ping Fan, the Nirvanic Elder from the Pure Yang Sect. Zhen Ping Fan belittled Wanqi Hong, angering both Wanqi Jue and Wanqi Hong at the same time. They also heard that Duan Ling Tian, the prodigy from the Pure Yang Sect, refused to back down. Apparently, Duan Ling Tian and Wanqi Hong were arguing and insulting each other for quite a while until they finally decided to fight. On top of that, Duan Ling Tian was going to bet with 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills while Wanqi Hong was going to bet with Wanqi Jue’s prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. If Duan Ling Tian won, he would get Wanqi Jue’s prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul; if Wanqi Hong won, he would get 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills.
“Are the people from the Wanqi clan stupid? The stakes are clearly not of equal value! How can 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills compare to a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul?”
“Didn’t you hear? The Wanqi clan demanded 300 king-grade Limit Divine Pills, but Duan Ling Tian refused, saying that it was 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills or nothing. After that, the Wanqi clan agreed to Duan Ling Tian’s condition.”
“I can understand why the Wanqi clan accepted the bet even though the stakes are not in their favor. After all, they’re certain they’ll win. It’s no loss to them at all. It doesn’t matter if they give into Duan Ling Tian’s demand.”
“It’s said that Wanqi Hong has become an advanced Lord of Gods about 100 years ago. On the other hand, Duan Ling Tian has only become an intermediate Lord of Gods two years ago. Their strengths aren’t on the same level at all.”
“That’s right. Although Duan Ling Tian killed two intermediate Lords of Gods when he was just a rudimentary Lord of Gods, Wanqi Hong was also capable of such a feat when he was a rudimentary Lord of Gods.”
“I heard that Wanqi Hong fought against three intermediate Lords of Gods from the Wanqi clan alone and defeated them within ten moves when he was a rudimentary Lord of Gods!”
“Hey, I just heard from the Wanqi clan. It’s said that it was not Duan Ling Tian’s intention to fight with Wanqi Hong, but he refused to back down. It’s said that he deliberately made things difficult by proposing to bet with a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. He thought Wanqi Hong didn’t have a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul, and as such, he wouldn’t have to fight Wanqi Hong. Alas, he was unaware that Wanqi Jue possessed a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul and was forced into accepting the challenge.”
“It seems like there won’t be any suspense at all during the fight.”
When the people from the Alliance of Benevolence and Justice and the Dragon Martial Divine Sect arrived at the venue of the Trading Conference, they saw the people from the Pure Yang Sect and Wanqi clan had arrived as well. Many of those from the Seven Kills Valley were also present.
Perhaps, news of the upcoming fight had spread so more and more people from the Seven Kills Valley arrived at the venue.
The venue was located in a vast valley. A huge stone platform stood in the middle of the valley, occupying nearly half the area there.
At this time, many people could be seen hovering above the stone platform and standing at the sides of the stone platform.
“Elder Wan Qi.”
“Elder Zhen.”
The people from the Alliance of Benevolence and Justice and the Dragon Martial Divine Sect went over and greeted those from the Pure Yang Sect and the Wanqi clan. It did not take long for their attention to shift to Duan Ling Tian and Wanqi Hong. Most of them recognized Wanqi Hong since Wanqi Jue brought his beloved great-great-grandson with him to many events in the past. As for Duan Ling Tian, most of them were seeing him for the first time today.
An elder from the Alliance of Benevolence and Justice, who was an Emperor of Gods, looked at Duan Ling Tian and said with a regretful expression, “Duan Ling Tian, I’ve long heard about you. It’s our loss that you didn’t join our alliance.”
The Vice Sect Leader of the Dragon Martial Divine Sect, who led the entourage to the Trading Conference, looked at Zhen Ping Fan and complained, “Elder Zhen was too domineering when we tried to recruit you in the Flying Dragon Sect. He drove all the men we sent away.”
At this moment, Wanqi Hong looked at Duan Ling Tian and said impatiently, “Duan Ling Tian! Can we fight now? Let’s hurry up and end this. I’m going to trade for the things I want using your 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills.”
Wanqi Hong was clearly confident he was going to obtain 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills.
Duan Ling Tian scoffed. “Wanqi Hong, you’re too arrogant. The fight has yet to start, but you’re already so confident you’ll obtain the 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills.”
Just as Wanqi Hong was about to retort, many respectful voices rang in the air.
“Valley Master.”
“Valley Master!”
Duan Ling Tian and the others looked in the direction of the commotion. With just a glance, they saw a tall middle-aged man dressed in a green robe. His face was as smooth as jade, and he had a mole on his glabella. Two old men that looked like sages followed him from behind. Streaks of colorful energy trailed behind them, making them look like immortals descending to the mortal world.
In just a blink of an eye, the green-clad middle-aged man and the two old men arrived in front of Duan Ling Tian and the others.
Then, the leaders of the entourage from the other four forces such as Zhen Ping Fan and Wanqi Jue stepped forward to greet the green-clad middle-aged man.
“Senior Uncle Wei.”
“Valley Master Wei.”
The green-clad middle-aged man was Wei Chun Dao, the Valley Master of the Seven Kills Valley. Although his name sounded tacky, he had the highest status among the current generation in Seven Kills Valley. There were also rumors that he was only second in strength to the old ancestor of the Seven Kills Valley.
After greeting everyone, Wei Chun Dao said with a smile, “I heard that two young men from the Pure Yang Sect and the Wanqi clan respectively are going to fight, serving as the opening ceremony of the Trading Conference? I also heard that the stakes are high. Why don’t we change the stakes to avoid damaging the relationship between the two forces?”
Wei Chun Dao’s gaze fell on Duan Ling Tian and Wanqi Hong as he spoke.
Before Duan Ling Tian could reply, Wanqi Hong beat him to it. “Valley Master Wei, I don’t have any objections to your suggestion. However, someone had firmly declared that he wouldn’t bother fighting me if I didn’t use a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul to bet. Since I’ve taken out a prominent divine artifact soul with an incomplete artifact soul, it’s naturally impossible to reduce the stakes on his side.”
Wanqi Hong pushed the blame on Duan Ling Tian, clearly stating that it was Duan Ling Tian who was unwilling to heed Wei Chun Dao’s suggestion.
Wei Chun Dao turned to look at Duan Ling Tian immediately.
Duan Ling Tian was naturally aware of Wanqi Hong’s intention. However, he only said lazily, “Like I said, I won’t bother fighting with you without a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul on the line. However, if you want to go back on your words, I won’t object either.”
Despite his lazy tone, Duan Ling Tian’s eyes darted around.
In the eyes of the crowd, Duan Ling Tian looked like he was panicking inwardly.
Those from the Wanqi clan naturally grew even more confident upon seeing this.
Wanqi Hong hurriedly said, “There’s no need to change the stakes! I won’t go back on my words! I’m going to be getting 100 king-grade Limit Divine Free for nothing. Why would I go back on my words?”
Upon seeing this exchange, Wei Chun Dao also knew that there was nothing more he could do or say. Hence, he said, “Since this is the case, I won’t persuade both of you anymore. The fight is in Seven Kills Valley so both of you should take it easy, alright? It’d be a great loss to the Pure Yang Sect and the Wanqi clan if they lose either one of you.”
As soon as Wei Chuan Dao finished speaking, Zhen Ping Fan hurriedly said, as though he was worried Wanqi Hong would kill Duan Ling Tian, “That’s right. Don’t go too far. There’s no need to fight to the death.”
When Zhen Ping Fan saw that everyone was looking at him, he said, somewhat embarrassed, “I agree with Senior Uncle Wei. Neither the Pure Yang Sect nor the Wanqi clan can afford to lose them.”
“That’s fine by me,” Duan Ling Tian said.
Wanqi Hong laughed. “Duan Ling Tian, I thought you were fearless. I didn’t expect you to be so afraid of death.”
Duan Ling Tian replied indifferently, “I’m worried that you’ll die. I don’t think Elder Wanqi Jue will be able to take it if he loses his prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul and his great-great-grandson at the same time.”