A slow, dangerous smile spread across Xiao Wei's face. His eyes, though tired from days of travel and battle, now gleamed with cold calculation.
Qin La noticed the sudden change in expression and narrowed his eyes.
*What is this boy planning?*Qin La thought.
Just before anyone else could speak, Xiao Wei took a step forward.
"Senior Qin, I've always heard that the Qin Clan is strong, prestigious, and wealthy. Truly a powerful force in Dong State."Xiao Wei said politely, bowing slightly, his tone was deferential, but his eyes held a sharp glint
Qin La's pride swelled at the praise, and he nodded arrogantly.
"You heard correctly, boy. But don't get ideas—we don't accept just anyone into our clan."Qin La said.
The implication was clear. Qin La looked at Xiao Wei as one might look at a weed growing beside a flower—unworthy of notice.
But Xiao Wei didn't flinch. He simply smiled, pretending not to notice the insult.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare presume, Senior. I'm only a humble Cultivator from Fu State. But if we are to spar, then may I suggest we make it more… interesting?"Xiao Wei replied smoothly.
Qin La raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting? How so?"Qin La asked.
Shi Feng frowned slightly, wondering what this reckless junior was about to do. Old Yang remained silent but attentive. Even Chen Xiao and Shi Man, who had been mentally preparing for the match, turned their heads.
Xiao Wei clasped his hands behind his back and smiled innocently.
"Let's place a bet. Say… 500 Low Tier Spiritual Stones for the winner?"Xiao Wei said.
The Cultivators who was leaving the area suddenly stopped there steps after hearing Xiao Wei.
A wave of murmurs ran through the crowd.
Even Shi Man's jaw dropped slightly. He turned to Xiao Wei in disbelief.
"Brother Wei, are you insane? That's five hundred stones!"Shi Man said.
Qin La's eyes narrowed.
"Five hundred Spiritual Stones? For a sparring match?"Qin La muttered.
Xiao Wei shrugged lightly, his robe rustling in the breeze.
"You say it's a friendly match, and that your clan is rich and powerful. Surely, a mere 500 Spiritual Stones is nothing to the esteemed Qin Clan. Or… is the Qin Clan members afraid of losing to a Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator?"Xiao Wei said tilting his head slightly.
Gasps erupted from the crowd. Even Shadow Ming was impressed. The kid wasn't just bold—he had teeth.
As Xiao Wei's voice rang out clearly across the training ground, an eerie silence followed. Everyone who had gathered out of curiosity, turned their attention toward him. His confident tone, sharp eyes, and unshaken posture made people instinctively believe that he wasn't joking.
Gasps rippled through the crowd like a tide. For many of the Cultivators present—especially the rogue Cultivators, unaffiliated with any clan or sect—this was an enormous sum.
"Five hundred Spiritual Stones? Is this kid insane?"someone whispered under their breath.
"I've only ever used a few dozen Spiritual Stones in my entire Cultivation journey. And I'm already at the Ninth Layer of the Martial Master Realm."a middle-aged man murmured, his robes patched in several places.
A woman standing nearby nodded, eyes wide.
"I'm a rogue Cultivator too. I've never even had the chance to use a Spiritual Stone."
The whispering grew louder as more people began to murmur among themselves. Xiao Wei stood unmoved, as if the weight of five hundred Spiritual Stones was no different from five copper coins.
Qin Nan, the saber-wielding youth beside Qin La, took a step forward.
"You dare insult our clan?"Qin Nan roared.
"I'm simply proposing a bet. But if you're too afraid, we can pretend this conversation never happened."Xiao Wei replied evenly.
Qin La's face twitched. He was being goaded, and he knew it. But refusing the bet now would make the Qin Clan appear weak. Even if they won the duels, it won't matter now because everyone is focused on the Martial Apprentice Realm boy.
"Kid, you're speaking quite boldly. But tell me this—have you ever even seen a Spiritual Crystal?"Qin La called out, his voice rough like gravel.
Xiao Wei turned his gaze toward the Qin La and gave a faint smile.
"Senior, are you suggesting that the mighty Qin Clan cannot afford a mere five hundred Low Tier Spiritual Crystals?"Xiao Wei asked.
Qin La's brow twitched. It wasn't the words—it was the tone. Calm. Arrogant. Unshaken.
*Five hundred may not be a huge sum to a powerful clan, but it's still very useful. Enough to fund the Cultivation of three core disciples for several months*Qin La thought.
Old Yang glanced at Xiao Wei out of the corner of his eye, an amused smile tugging at his lips. This kid… has guts.
Behind Qin La; Qin Nan, Qin Lin, and Qin Lan stared at Xiao Wei in disbelief. Their expressions darkened. Each of them had to earn their own Cultivation resources through missions, competition, or merit. Spiritual Stones weren't freely handed out—one had to work for them. Yet here was Xiao Wei, asking for them like it is some candy.
"Who does he think he is? Five hundred stones… that's more than I've earned in the last two years!"Qin Nan muttered, fists clenched.
But before any more outrage could bubble to the surface, Qin La raised a hand to silence his clan members.
"Fine. I agree to the bet. But if the Qin Clan wins, how do you intend to deliver those Spiritual Stones? Do you even have that many?"Qin La said, locking eyes with Xiao Wei.
At that moment, a voice echoed from behind Xiao Wei.
"Don't worry, Elder Qin. If we lose the matches, I'll cover the bet myself. I'll deliver the five hundred Low Tier Spiritual Stones to your clan personally."Old Yang said, stepping forward with a faint smile on his wrinkled face.
Old Yang's words caused another wave of whispers. Everyone knew he was no ordinary Cultivator.
Qin La glanced at Old Yang, then nodded slowly.
"Very well. I trust Senior Yang's word."Qin La said.
Turning to the center of the field, Qin La raised his voice.
"The sparring match will be a simple format. One versus one. Three rounds. Whichever side wins two of the matches is the victor."Qin La explained.
No one objected. The rules were fair.
"Make space!"someone called out.
The Cultivators quickly backed away, forming a wide circle around the open area. Dust swirled as feet shuffled, and the sparring area was now set.
From the Qin Clan's side, Qin La waved his hand.
"Don't kill them. But teach them not to be arrogant. Qin Lin, you're up first."Qin La said, his voice cold.
Qin Lin stepped forward. His robes bore the Qin Clan emblem on the chest, and his sword, sheathed in black lacquered wood, hung from his belt like a predator waiting to pounce. His aura pulsed with condensed Spiritual Energy, stable and unyielding.
"Qin Lin of the Qin Clan, Eighth Layer of the Martial Master Realm."Qin Lin said with a bow.
From the opposite side, Chen Xiao stepped forward calmly. He wore no fancy robes. He carried no weapon, his hands free, his gait relaxed. But there was a clarity in his eyes—a quiet sharpness.
"Chen Xiao of the Mystic Mountain. Also Eighth Layer of the Martial Master Realm."Chen Xiao said simply, returning the bow.
After few seconds, Qin La voice rang out like a clap of thunder.
"Fight!"Qin La shouted.
Immediately, both Chen Xiao and Qin Lin took their positions on opposite sides of the sparring area. The crowd held its breath, their eyes glued to the two young Cultivators who now stood as representatives of their respective sides.
With a swift motion, Qin Lin unsheathed his weapon. A sharp, cold gleam flashed through the air as a Tier 3 Sword emerged, its blade reflecting the sunlight like a mirror of steel.
Chen Xiao remained calm, and with a quiet breath, he searched his Storage Ring. In a flash of spiritual light, he retrieved his own Tier 3 Sword, gripping it with both hands. Though slightly worn from recent battles, the blade still held a solid edge.
Before either could move, Qin Lin raised his voice, gaze fixed on his opponent.
"Let's end this with a single move. I don't have much Spiritual Energy left after coming out of the Secret Realm."Qin Lin purposed.
Chen Xiao gave a nod, sweat glistening on his brow.
"Same here."Chen Xiao agreed as he felt the same way.
The agreement was made silently between them who understood the state of their bodies and the limits of their strength. Neither could afford a drawn-out fight. It would be one move—winner takes all.
Suddenly, both fighters dashed forward, leaving trails of dust behind them. Their spiritual energy flared wildly, rippling through the air like waves from a storm.
"Sky Exploding Slash!"Qin Lin shouted, his sword bursting into bright blue light, slicing through the air with devastating momentum.
"Sun Burning Sword!"Chen Xiao roared in response, channeling all his remaining Spiritual Energy into a fiery arc of golden flame that coated the length of his sword.