บท 56: Challenge in a Duel

"The challenger must send a challenge letter one week in advance and arrive at the agreed-upon time, bringing the stakes for the duel to the opponent's sect's designated challenge arena."

"Once a challenge is issued, it must be accepted by at least ten individuals of the same cultivation level as the opponent, unless the opponent voluntarily forfeits."

Jiang Heng quickly asked, "Can you challenge opponents of a higher cultivation level?"

"Yes, you can, as long as you agree to it, regardless of how many levels higher they are."

"Can you kill during the duel?"

"Yes, you can, as long as the referee doesn't stop it in time. If you kill, it's considered done, and no one would dare to interfere."

With that said, Bai Haocang continued, "However, for sect duels, you must have a cultivation level of at least the Innate Realm or higher."

"Below the Innate Realm, it's just a transitional phase for true sect talents. Many people don't spend much time practicing martial arts techniques, so their combat abilities are not well demonstrated."

"But once you reach the Innate Realm, that's when martial arts truly shine, and various talents bloom."

"Unlike the opponents you faced when you were in the Mortal Realm, all of them are top-tier talents, and their martial arts cultivation is absolutely not weak."

"Do you really have confidence?" Bai Haocang looked deeply into Jiang Heng's eyes.

Jiang Heng's expression was solemn as he nodded, "I do."

"In that case, you should prepare at least ten thousand silver taels or an equivalent amount of general resources as the challenge stakes."

"This is an unspoken rule; otherwise, others won't bother with your challenge and may even kick you out directly."

Ten thousand silver taels, if converted using contribution points, would be equivalent to 1,000 contribution points. Jiang Heng had just spent ninety percent of his contribution points, leaving him with 1,900 points, which was sufficient.

Bai Haocang continued to explain the general rules of the challenge:

"After you have the money ready, I will instruct someone to deliver the challenge letter to the Heaven Sword Sect and arrange for an elder to accompany you. Only then will it be considered a formal challenge."

"At that time, you will set up the challenge arena at the Heaven Sword Sect and accept challenges from at least ten Innate Realm disciples in addition to your designated opponent."

"If you win, you'll collect one-tenth of the stakes from each person, and you'll return with honor."

"If you lose, you'll lose all the stakes, and in some cases, you might even lose your life on the spot."

Jiang Heng raised an eyebrow. He didn't have questions about the other rules, but he was most concerned about the stakes.

"Heaven Sword Sect disciples only need to put up one-tenth of the stakes?"

Bai Haocang couldn't be bothered to answer him and simply said, "Go down! Come back when you're prepared!"

Hearing this, Jiang Heng immediately said, "I'm already prepared. Please, Master, help me with the challenge letter!"

"Go down! I'll have someone arrange it."

Jiang Heng respectfully withdrew.

Originally, he had only wanted to avenge Mi Wenjie now that he had enough strength. However, he unexpectedly stumbled upon a way to make money.

As long as he prepared enough stakes, even if the opponent only put up one-tenth, he would still make a substantial profit.

With at least a week until the official challenge, he needed to prepare as many stakes as possible.

By then, when he swept through the Heaven Sword Sect's core disciples, avenged Mi Wenjie, and won enough money for himself.

After returning to the inner gate area of the eighth peak, Jiang Heng headed towards the mission hall.

Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"Senior Brother Jiang?"

Jiang Heng stopped in his tracks and turned to look. He saw three inner disciples walking side by side, all wearing blue uniforms.

Among them was a slender figure, fair with a beautiful appearance, but she had sharp eyebrows that gave her a less delicate and more heroic demeanor. It was none other than Bu Hanyi.

"Junior Sister Bu, long time no see!" Jiang Heng smiled slightly.

Back during the outer sect competition, they got along very well, and she even provided him with quite a few Blood Qi Pills, contributing significantly to his potential points.

"When did you advance to the inner sect? I've been wanting to have another match with you, but I heard you've been in seclusion for cultivation," Bu Hanyi said with a playful smile. Despite not having seen each other for many days, there was no estrangement between them.

"It's been more than a month since I advanced to the inner sect. As for a match, you weren't my opponent back then, and you're even less of one now. Are you sure you want to try again?" Jiang Heng looked at her with a half-smile.

Hearing this, Bu Hanyi waved her hand disinterestedly. "It seems like your cultivation has improved quite a bit recently. Let's forget about it."

She naturally believed Jiang Heng's words. Back in the Western Luo Mountain Range's trial area, they had spent several days together, getting to know each other quite well. She knew Jiang Heng wasn't someone who would boast without reason.

However, Bu Hanyi's two companions were different. They were both young inner disciples, top-tier talents, and naturally couldn't stand to hear someone of the same age bragging.

One of them, a young man with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, sneered and said, "So, you're the Junior Brother Jiang Heng that Junior Sister Bu has mentioned multiple times! The rumors within the sect claim that you're an unprecedented genius."

"Now that I see you, you're nothing special."

"You entered the inner sect just over a month ago, and now, without knowing Junior Sister Bu's cultivation level, you dare to boast that you're stronger than her."

"Tsk tsk! Are you arrogant or just ignorant?"

Bu Hanyi's expression turned cold, and she sternly rebuked, "Gu Zhengming! Are you disrespecting my friend in front of me? Are you trying to provoke me?"

Before the young man named Gu Zhengming could reply, Jiang Heng took a few steps forward, his eyes indifferent as he looked at him.

"Gu Zhengming, is it?"

"Don't say I ambushed you. You have three seconds to prepare."

Gu Zhengming was slightly startled and then became furious. "Arrogant brat! Do you want to duel? Then come!"

Slightly stepping back, the other young man watched the situation as if he was enjoying a show.

Bu Hanyi hesitated, conflicted. Logically, she didn't think Jiang Heng could necessarily win against the opponent. Although Jiang Heng indeed had unparalleled talent, he was much younger, and his time in the True Qi Realm wasn't long.

Gu Zhengming, on the other hand, was a seventh-level True Qi Realm expert and possessed several powerful Profound-Level martial arts techniques. Even if Jiang Heng's cultivation improved after some time, it would take a while for his martial arts skills to catch up.

Therefore, a conflict like this was highly disadvantageous for Jiang Heng.

But in her mind, there was a strange and unexplainable intuition – Jiang Heng wouldn't lose!

She had witnessed Jiang Heng's domineering and invincible figure before, which made her subconsciously full of confidence in him.

This was a youth capable of creating miracles!

Moreover, since Jiang Heng had actively challenged, he must have real confidence.

With these thoughts in mind, Bu Hanyi hesitated for a moment before taking two steps back, making way for the upcoming battle.

At this moment, Jiang Heng said coldly, "The three seconds are up."