Wagered Battle

"Phew."

Li Xuantong took a deep breath upon hearing those words, then quickly composed himself.

Staring at Luo Li, he said, "You shouldn't have come here."

"Whether I come or not is my business."

Luo Li frowned slightly, clearly growing impatient with his words.

"Senior, what business do you have here?"

Seeing this, Lin Suchou also asked impatiently.

Li Xuantong stared at Lin Suchou without speaking, merely releasing an oppressive aura.

It was unmistakably the aura of the Huatian Realm Late Stage!

Even Song Hao could not help retreating several steps, only then feeling the pressure in his chest ease somewhat.

He was only at the initial stage of the Heaven Fusion Realm, so he had no choice but to keep his distance.

Seeing this, Lin Suchou used the Luo Shen Robe to suppress his cultivation and released the aura of the Huatian Realm Middle Stage.

He had originally intended to slap Li Xuantong flying, but then he thought of a plan that would kill two birds with one stone.

"Hm?"

Sensing that Lin Suchou was only one level below him, Li Xuantong nodded lightly. "Reaching the Huatian Realm Middle Stage at your age makes you one of the best among your peers, but... it's still not enough.

"You have no idea what responsibilities Luo Li bears. For your own good, you should leave her."

A chill flashed through Luo Li's crystal-like eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Suchou stopped her.

He looked at Li Xuantong and said, "Sorry, Senior, but I can't agree to that. I know what Luo Li bears as well, but I will cultivate diligently and clear away everything for her.

"If you don't like the look of me, or think my cultivation is too low, then we can settle this on the Fighting Arena."

"Settle this?"

Li Xuantong looked at Lin Suchou in surprise, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes. "And if you lose?"

"If I lose, I'll leave Luo Li as Senior says, and we'll have nothing to do with each other from then on."

After saying that, Lin Suchou looked at Li Xuantong again. "But if Senior loses, you may never interfere in Luo Li's and my affairs again.

"And... you'll have to give me ten million Spirit Value. Luo Li and I have only just arrived in Northern Heavens, and we're rather short on funds."

A pained fury flickered deep in Li Xuantong's eyes as he said in a low voice, "I can accept this wager, but I want to tell you that Luo Li paid an entire..."

Clang!

Before he could finish, the crisp sound of a sharp sword leaving its sheath rang out, and the spiritual energy filling the sky seemed to stir.

A fierce streak of sword light shot into the heavens.

The next instant, Luo Li appeared before Li Xuantong, her incomparably sharp sword light halted right before him.

The sword tip trembled, as though even the air had been sliced apart.

"Li Xuantong, although we are friends, you have interfered far too much in my affairs. I don't mind taking action against you, so don't force me."

Coldness surged in Luo Li's crystal eyes, her voice icy to the bone.

Li Xuantong looked at the sword tip before him, yet made no attempt to evade it.

He stared at the girl's delicate face. In all these years, this was the first time he had seen her angered in order to protect something.

But it was not for him...

An almost imperceptible dimness passed through Li Xuantong's eyes as he asked bitterly, "Is he worth it? You know your own circumstances. If this continues, you'll only burden..."

Luo Li looked at Li Xuantong. Though she did not answer, her pointed, fair chin nodded heavily.

Gentleness surfaced in her eyes. She did not dwell on whether he was worth it.

She only knew that ever since she had met him in the Spirit Road, her once monotonous world had gained a few more colors.

Even amid dull training, there was now something in her heart to look forward to.

She only knew that when she was with him, she could let down all her guard and laugh happily.

Lin Suchou stepped forward from behind, took hold of the wrist with which Luo Li held her sword, and gently pressed it down.

Then he looked at Li Xuantong and calmly asked, "What does Senior think? Do you accept the wager battle I proposed?"

"Fine."

Seeing the coldness in Luo Li's eyes, Li Xuantong's heart ached. He had come here today for Luo Li's sake, yet she showed him so little consideration.

It seemed he really would have to defeat the Youth before him to make her wake up completely.

"Set the time and place."

Li Xuantong nodded, accepting the wager battle.

"Let's set the time for after the Freshman Tournament ends, and the location at the Spirit Fighting Arena. What do you think, Senior?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Suchou said.

"Fine. I'll be watching the Freshman Tournament in a while. I hope you show me your true ability."

Li Xuantong gave Lin Suchou a deep look, then looked at Luo Li with eyes filled with mixed emotions. Only then did he transform into a streak of Flowing Light and vanish beyond the horizon in a few breaths.

"Luo Li, I know these are your last two years of freedom, but I will strive my utmost during these two years and clear away every obstacle for you."

Lin Suchou turned his head and looked seriously at Luo Li, making his promise.

"Mhm. I've always believed in you."

Once Li Xuantong had left, a smile blossomed on Luo Li's face once more.

Like the warm sun in the sky, it warmed Lin Suchou's heart at the sight.

"Junior Lin, wasn't that a little rash? Are you really confident you can defeat Li Xuantong?"

Song Hao approached again from the side, his expression solemn.

"Mhm. Don't worry, Brother Song. I'm absolutely certain I can beat him."

Lin Suchou assured him.

"Good! Since Little Brother Lin is so confident, then I'll go all out too!"

A crazed gleam appeared in Song Hao's small eyes. "I've spent a year here in Northern Heavens without making anything of myself. I should thank Little Brother Lin for inspiring me and giving me confidence.

"I'll spread the news of your challenge to Li Xuantong far and wide during this time, though it may damage your image. I hope Little Brother Lin can forgive me."

"That's no problem. As long as Brother Song can bring me enough Spirit Value."

Lin Suchou waved a hand.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave first."

Song Hao cupped his fists toward him, then turned and swiftly departed.

Lin Suchou withdrew his gaze and led the two women into the stone pavilion, where they continued eating the dishes they had not finished earlier.

It had to be said that the Spirit Wine Song Hao had brought was quite good, comparable to the Spirit Wine Wen Qingxuan had taken out back in the Spirit Road.

"Hm!?"

After the three had eaten for a while, Wen Qingxuan suddenly looked at the jade jug containing the Spirit Wine and said in surprise, "No wonder this wine is so good. It's wine from Treasure Gathering City on the Myriad Merchants Continent."

"Myriad Merchants Continent? Treasure Gathering City?"

Lin Suchou looked at her suspiciously.

He knew of the Myriad Merchants Continent. When he and Jiu You had first gone to the Tian Luo Continent, they had passed through it.

But he had truly never heard of Treasure Gathering City.

"What a country bumpkin."

Wen Qingxuan rolled her eyes at him, but after Lin Suchou slapped her delicate butt, she became an obedient little wife again.

She explained, "As one of the ten supercontinents, the Myriad Merchants Continent has the most auction houses and all kinds of treasures.

"Among its more famous factions, Treasure Gathering City is one of them."

"Then that Brother Song really is generous, to be able to buy this kind of Spirit Wine."

Lin Suchou clicked his tongue in amazement.

"More than generous."

Wen Qingxuan rolled her eyes again and explained, "As one of Treasure Gathering City's finest Spirit Wines, this is something with a price but no market. Some people cannot buy it even if they have money."

"So you mean... that unremarkable Brother Song has some connection with Treasure Gathering City?"

Lin Suchou asked in surprise.

"You're not completely stupid."

"Ow."

Hearing her jab, Lin Suchou rewarded her delicate butt with another slap.