Kapitel 234: Bold Declaration
Day of the duel.
Zhao Yunxiao made one final check of his inventory before stepping out of his residence for the first time in three days.
The moment he went out the front door, he saw Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying in the front courtyard. They were seated by a small fire that they had made, over which a pot of soup was simmering.
When they saw Zhao Yunxiao stepping out, the duo instinctively got to their feet.
"When did you return from your mission?" Zhao Yunxiao asked casually while walking over to them.
"We just got back yesterday," Gu Qiansi replied solemnly.
"And the first thing that you think of after returning is to come set my courtyard on fire?" Zhao Yunxiao shook his head in disapproval.
"...I heard from Junior Martial Sister Huang," Gu Qiansi changed the topic while filling up a bowl of soup.
"I'm sure you did," Zhao Yunxiao received the bowl and started slurping on it. "Trust me, I've got this."
"You always say that when diving into something risky," Gu Qiansi pointed out.
"And I have always delivered after saying that, have I not?" Zhao Yunxiao replied matter-of-factly before passing the empty bowl back to Gu Qiansi.
"You have, indeed," Gu Qiansi silently received the bowl and kept it away.
"Exactly," Zhao Yunxiao said with a smile.
"Go kill that bastard," Lu Zhiying finally said.
"Let's not go that far," Zhao Yunxiao chuckled, though a cold light simultaneously flashed across his eyes. "But I definitely won't let him off easily."
That's right.
Gan Luozhi was not the only one intending to take this opportunity to send a message – Zhao Yunxiao had similar plans as well.
If given the choice, he would always prefer not to provoke others and create unnecessary enmity. However, he would never stand by and allow his companions to suffer at the hands of others, especially not when it was because of something that he had done!
Zhao Yunxiao only had a single bowl of soup, leaving the rest of the pot untouched. Gu Qiansi did not tell him to drink more either, understanding that a single bowl was the ideal amount.
After hearing that Zhao Yunxiao did not step out of his residence for three full days, it was not difficult for Gu Qiansi to guess what he was doing. Because of that, she had specially prepared a bowl of soup made with nutritious monster meat. Rather than filling his stomach, it was more aimed at nourishing his energy.
Just like that, Zhao Yunxiao headed to Snow Moon Arena along with Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying.
The Snow Moon Arena referred to a huge clearing in the Outer Grounds, within which several separate stages had been erected with a safe distance between each of them. This was where disciples of the Black Tortoise Sect usually engaged in friendly spars with one another.
When Zhao Yunxiao's group arrived just slightly before the appointed time, the area was already packed full of people.
A duel between Gan Luozhi and Zhao Yunxiao with two spatial escape talismans on the line – news of this matter had spread throughout the entire outer sect over the past three days.
Neither of them could be considered a top-notch character, but they were still rather well-known individuals in the outer sect.
On one side was the overly hardworking outer disciple with the greatest number of sect jobs – the underdog with a cultivation disadvantage.
On the other side was the infamous bootlicker who had already gotten on many people's nerves.
In actual fact, most people were rooting for Zhao Yunxiao in this duel, though few truly believed in his chances of victory.
"All the best, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!"
"You can do it, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!"
"Show him what you've got, Junior Martial Brother Zhao!"
Many people in the crowd cheered for him upon noticing his arrival, especially since he had always tried to maintain a good relationship with others.
"Come place your bets! Prevailing rate is at 23 to 1.06 – Zhao Yunxiao at 23, Gan Luozhi at 1.06!" a senior disciple walked around while holding up a huge sign that detailed the odds.
Quite a number of disciples walked up to him to place their bets, and the senior disciple promptly adjusted the rates after.
"Come place your bets! Prevailing rate is at 24 to 1.05 – Zhao Yunxiao at 24, Gan Luozhi at 1.05!" the senior disciple continued to solicit for bets.
Zhao Yunxiao: "..."
It was clear that the last group of disciples had mostly betted against him. Otherwise, his rates would not have suddenly become better.
"Senior Martial Brother Zhao..." Huang An walked up to him at this point. "Are you sure about this? How about I just apologise to Senior Martial Brother Gan and get him to cancel this duel?"
"Are you doubting my ability to win, Junior Martial Sister Huang?" Zhao Yunxiao asked in a teasing manner.
"No, that's not it...!" Huang An quickly corrected. "It's just that Senior Martial Brother Gan is at the Peak Essence Gathering realm, so you are severely disadvantaged..."
Gu Qiansi could not help but steal a peek at Zhao Yunxiao as well, wanting to see his reaction.
"Don't worry, cultivation isn't everything," Zhao Yunxiao patted Huang An lightly on the head. "Let me show you how it's done."
"But...!"
"If you really wish the best for your Senior Martial Brother Zhao, you need to stop putting him down before the duel," Gu Qiansi quickly chided. "Come here."
"...Okay," Huang An obediently walked over to hold Gu Qiansi's outstretched hand.
Zhao Yunxiao smiled and looked around them.
Judging by the size of the crowd, probably more than half of the outer disciples had turned up today.
He also spotted Nie Hanchang standing in a corner, casually leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. Upon noticing his gaze, Nie Hanchang looked over and nodded.
Zhao Yunxiao returned the greeting, then continued walking ahead.
This time, Gu Qiansi and the others did not join him by his side.
Zhao Yunxiao slowly walked up the appointed stage with steady steps. On the stage, Hua Sheng and Gan Luozhi had already arrived and were waiting for him.
"Apologies for the wait, Senior Martial Brother Hua, Senior Martial Brother Gan," Zhao Yunxiao clasped his fists towards the duo.
"Not at all. You are on time," Hua Sheng corrected. "We are the ones who have arrived early."
"Shall we get started since we are both already here?" Gan Luozhi asked.
"There are only a few minutes to go. Let's just wait for the appointed time," Hua Sheng refused.
He knew that there were many outer disciples who had taken the day off to watch this fight, so starting earlier might result in disappointment for some of them.
"Prevailing rate is at 20 to 1.2 – Zhao Yunxiao at 20, Gan Luozhi at 1.2!"
Hmm?
Did the rates for his victory just decrease?
Zhao Yunxiao could not help but look over, only to see Jun Chuan walking away from the senior disciple who had been collecting bets.
Jun Chuang noticed his gaze and responded with a thumbs-up.
Zhao Yunxiao could not help but shake his head with a helpless smile.
Some people might feel that betting in someone's favour was a way of supporting them, but Zhao Yunxiao did not believe in something like that.
After all, it was not as though he would gain some sort of advantage just because of how much had been betted on him.
As long as one did not allow their mental state to be affected by something as insignificant as bet rates, none of that would matter.
"Throwing sect points away like that just to express support – what a good friend you have!" Gan Luozhi said sarcastically.
"Perhaps if you changed your ways, you could actually gain some real friends as well," Zhao Yunxiao replied without hesitation. "And who knows? Perhaps he is just a smart investor who is about to get richer?"
"Are you sure you still want to speak to me like that at this juncture?" Gan Luozhi narrowed his eyes. "Are you not afraid of angering me?"
"I should be asking you that instead," Zhao Yunxiao answered. "Are you really still asking me that at this juncture?"
"How brave of you," Gan Luozhi scoffed, but did not elaborate further.
After all, it was not like he could openly declare his intention of completely destroying a fellow outer disciple!
As the time drew closer to noon, more and more outer disciples arrived at the Snow Moon Arena. In fact, there were even some inner disciples who had decided to come watch for entertainment.
Of course, there were also many outer disciples who chose not to come watch. Some of them believed that the outcome was already decided and were not interested in watching what they believed would just be a public beating, while there were also those who cared not about others' affairs.
Bit by bit, discussions among the audience started to die down.
By the time noon arrived, Snow Moon Arena was dead silent, with everyone focusing their attention on the main stage.
"As the judge for this duel, let me, Hua Sheng, state the rules," Hua Sheng announced. "This duel will be between Gan Luozhi and Zhao Yunxiao, with each side putting up a spatial escape talisman on the line. Let me emphasise right now that this is not a death match, and the victor will be decided when one side is either knocked down from the stage or incapacitated. Apart from that, I will also step in to stop the fight whenever deemed necessary. If there are no objections, hand me the bets."
The duo did not play any tricks, each stepping forward to place a talisman in Hua Sheng's hands. After checking that there were no issues, Hua Sheng finally stepped down from the stage.
This left Gan Luozhi and Zhao Yunxiao as the only ones standing on stage, staring each other down from opposite corners.
A gentle breeze swept across the stage, rustling their hair along with their battle robes. The sun rose overhead, unblocked by clouds as it illuminated the stage with its warm golden rays.
"It is noon, and I hereby declare that the duel begins!" Hua Sheng announced from below the stage.
"Please give me your guidance, Senior Martial Brother Gan," Zhao Yunxiao clasped his fists respectfully.
"Likewise," Gan Luozhi returned the greeting, albeit with a snide smirk on his face.
With a flick of his wrist, a sword appeared in Gan Luozhi's hands – a sword that Zhao Yunxiao recognised immediately.
Flowing Water Sword.
This was a sword that had been given to Gan Luozhi by Hua Sheng's inner disciple elder brother, Hua Shui. It was a light sword, specifically designed to enable swift attacks. When paired with Gan Luozhi's Wind Immortal's Nine Directional Sword, it became extremely tricky to deal with.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and bring out your halberd!" Gan Luozhi urged. "You are lucky that you are facing me right now. Against a more ruthless opponent, you would be dead before even getting the chance to do so!"
Just like Zhao Yunxiao had heard about Gan Luozhi, the reverse was true as well. Zhao Yunxiao had been using a halberd as his main weapon for years, so Gan Luozhi was naturally aware of that much.
"You have misunderstood, Senior Martial Brother Gan," Zhao Yunxiao shook his head calmly. "Out of respect for you as a senior, I will not be using my halberd for our duel. That said, this is a handicap that I have willingly taken upon myself, so you do not need to be concerned about it. Please feel free to do your best, regardless."
His tone was calm and steady, but his words alone were shocking enough to send shockwaves through the hearts of the audience.
Not only was Zhao Yunxiao challenging Gan Luozhi to a duel despite possessing a lower cultivation level, but he was also giving the latter a handicap by not using his main weapon?
Huang An anxiously tightened her hand that was holding onto Gu Qiansi, while the latter let out a helpless sigh.
Nie Hanchang chuckled a little, while Lu Zhiying grinned in anticipation for the show that was about to start.
Gasps of shock could be heard from all over the crowds as well, no one expecting Zhao Yunxiao to make such a bold declaration.
It was one thing to do so when it was a friendly spar, but everyone was well aware of the circumstances that had led to this duel.
Not only was their pride on the line, but there were also two spatial escape talismans!
Zhao Yunxiao was probably the only one who would mess around under such circumstances!
Even Hua Sheng could not help but narrow his eyes at Zhao Yunxiao, his evaluation of the latter changing slightly after hearing what he said.
"What a good junior martial brother! How bold! I just hope that you don't regret this later!" Gan Luozhi spoke through gritted teeth, his rage welling up from deep within.
To think that Zhao Yunxiao would dare show him such disrespect!
His instincts were already screaming at him, telling him to completely rip this brat to shreds!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein