"Bet? Of course we'll bet."
As soon as Wang Jianqiang spoke, Fatty and Stickman agreed without even thinking.
Su Yutong could already suppress Wang Yuyao, who wielded superior artifacts, while only using a low-grade artifact herself—the disparity was obvious to the naked eye.
To the two of them, this was a sure-win gamble.
Who in their right mind would refuse free spirit stones? Only a fool.
"Good. But empty words aren't enough. Let's make a written contract—whoever goes back on their word will be dealt with by the Punishment Hall."
At the mention of the Punishment Hall, both men instinctively shrank their necks.
The Punishment Hall was the authority of Hehuan Sect in charge of discipline, notorious for dealing with disciples who broke sect rules. It was the last place any disciple wanted to cross paths with—or even mention.
But then again, what did they have to fear?
This was a guaranteed win.
A signed contract was even better—it would prevent this old cripple from going back on his word.
With that thought, neither hesitated. They quickly scrawled their names on the contract.
"Bu Yueban.""Xiong Zhuang."
Wang Jianqiang glanced at the names.
Exactly the same as what appeared in his sea of consciousness.
Then, he signed his own name.
The bet was officially sealed.
While the three of them made their wager, the battle on the arena grew even fiercer.
At this moment, Wang Yuyao had already summoned all three of her artifacts—the flawless Purple Jade Boots, the flawless Cloudwater Coldlight Sword, and the flawless Watermoon Skirt.
The black skirt flowed like ink, its hem fluttering.
Her crystalline violet boots glimmered like amethyst.
Above her head hovered a blue sword radiating sharp sword intent.
Her hair, tied up with a simple ribbon, had long since scattered under the force of battle, her raven locks whipping wildly in the wind.
On the other side, Su Yutong's eyes turned cold.
Her expression had grown grim.
Wang Yuyao's foundation was shallow and her personal strength average.
But bolstered by three powerful artifacts, she was no opponent to take lightly.
Though Su Yutong still held the advantage, she realized she could not put her down.
Her gaze hardened.
"To have lasted this long against me—you should feel proud."
"But this ends here!"
With a cold declaration, Su Yutong pointed at her flying sword.
Golden light surged across its blade, shrieking with a piercing cry as it shot straight toward Wang Yuyao.
Wang Yuyao's face tightened, spiritual energy flooding her meridians.
The flawless Cloudwater Coldlight Sword surged with pale mist, colliding with the golden sword in a burst of radiant light.
Boom!
The cold mist shattered. Countless golden sword rays rained down like needles, enveloping Wang Yuyao.
Her expression shifted. In haste, she activated the flawless Watermoon Skirt.
In an instant, the skirt shimmered with the illusion of a vast lake.
A moon hung suspended above the waters.
Silvery light spilled down like liquid mercury, wrapping her in its glow.
Clang, clang, clang!
The golden sword rays crashed against the moonlight barrier.
The silver glow shuddered violently, then shattered.
When the attack ended, Wang Yuyao's figure re-emerged.
The moonlight shield was completely broken, her gorgeous skirt marred with rips.
Blood seeped through the tears, staining the dark fabric crimson.
Her face was deathly pale, crimson trickling from the corners of her lips.
"You and I were never equals," Su Yutong declared coldly. "Luck may have blinded you for a moment, but after today, reality will be clear."
Her hands came together, forming a seal.
The golden glow around her sword blazed even brighter than before.
"This sword will end you!"
With a thunderous hum, the sword shot forth once more, a strike more lethal than the last.
Air itself twisted and disintegrated wherever the blade passed.
Spectators' eyelids twitched violently.
"So strong!""Is this Su Yutong's true strength?""She's still just a new disciple—how can she be this terrifying?"
Only a few contestants remained calm; the rest stared in shock.
"Golden Radiance Seal?"
"She's mastered it to such a level already? Remarkable."
High above, three inner sect elders watched the duel closely.
One of them could not help but exclaim in surprise.
"Indeed."
"With talent and comprehension both at the highest level… it seems our Hehuan Sect has birthed another prodigy."
Yun Zhonghe gazed at Su Yutong, admiration in his eyes.
He had just been planning to take on a new female disciple.
Su Yutong's beauty was exceptional, and better yet—her yin essence remained untouched. She was a perfect candidate.
"Hahaha, those spirit stones are ours!"
Meanwhile, Bu Yueban and Xiong Zhuang grinned with excitement, already reaching for the pile of spirit stones before Wang Jianqiang.
But Wang Jianqiang casually swept his hand, gathering all the spirit stones back. He shot them a flat glance.
"The battle isn't over yet. What's the rush?"
"Heh, if you want to be stubborn, then fine. We'll wait. You'll lose so thoroughly you won't even be able to complain." The two mocked, smug as ever.
Wang Jianqiang ignored them, keeping his gaze fixed on the arena.
Onstage, the golden sword was now less than a meter away from Wang Yuyao.
Even with her speed-boosting artifact, there was no time to dodge.
Everyone watching—including the three elders—believed she was cornered, utterly doomed.
But no one noticed the faint shimmer of light on Wang Yuyao's right hand.
A ring, blue as crystal, glimmered faintly.
In the instant it appeared, an invisible power erupted from it, merging with the flawless Watermoon Skirt.
Swoosh—
The sound of flowing tides rose out of nowhere.
The illusory lake shimmered back into existence.
The moon rose once more.
Cold moonlight spilled forth, clashing head-on with the descending golden sword.
Boom!
The entire arena shook violently.
Half of the stage blazed with dazzling golden radiance.
The other half glowed with pure, silvery light.
Golden light, sharp and domineering, condensed into endless sword intent.
Moonlight, serene and sacred, exuded tranquil holiness.
The two forces collided and consumed each other.
At last—
When the moonlight was reduced to just a single meter's glow, the golden light finally shattered and dispersed.
"She blocked it!""She has another high-grade artifact!""Unbelievable! How many treasures does she have?"
Spectators exchanged dumbfounded looks.
Even the three elders exchanged glances, rendered speechless.
"That bitch…!"
"Who is backing her? Who gave her all these superior artifacts?"
Bu Yueban and Xiong Zhuang exchanged nervous glances, dread rising in their chests.
Wang Jianqiang turned his smiling eyes on them.
"I know you're anxious. But don't be in such a hurry."
"Soon enough—you'll be even more desperate."