Chapter 2159 - 2156: Paying Out the Wager

Chapter 2159: Chapter 2156: Paying Out the Wager

"Sister Manxue, I think you’re too relaxed. Lin Tian should at least get a metal Heart Protecting Mirror. What’s the point of using leather armor? The dagger in Situ Ruoling’s hand is at the sect treasure level!" Ling Shuiyao held her forehead, almost fainting from Lin Tian’s actions.

Miss glanced at her and smiled slightly, "You seem quite concerned about Lin Tian."

Ling Shuiyao was taken aback and quickly denied, "Who’s concerned about that big pervert? I just don’t want Situ Ruoling to win."

Miss simply shook her head and smiled without saying a word.

Not far away, Li Wenfeng smiled faintly, "Brother Situ, your sister’s move is really high. An ancient martial family is different, possessing countless treasures."

"Mr. Li, you’re exaggerating. It’s just a small dagger, nothing impressive. But Mr. Li, for you to acquire overseas inheritance, that is truly admirable." Situ Yufeng was very modest, but his eyes couldn’t hide his pride and arrogance.

Beside them, Yuwen Luofei didn’t listen to their mutual compliments but frowned as she watched the stage, showing a hint of worry in her eyes.

The audience below also started to discuss because they had never seen such a "shoddy" Heart Protecting Mirror that couldn’t even stop an ordinary kitchen knife.

"After all, he’s not from an ancient martial family. Besides the Heavenly Tribulation Sword, he has nothing impressive." Someone shook his head and sighed.

"Yeah, we thought he could suppress the arrogance of family disciples and win back some face for us loose cultivators."

"You guys are really fickle. If you support Lin Tian, support him to the end. Sighing and wavering when things don’t look right, what’s that about?" One of Lin Tian’s supporters stood up to refute.

...

For a time, the clueless onlookers began to argue, splitting into factions of supporters and skeptics.

In a distant pavilion, with an open top floor, someone was watching the events of the trade fair, specifically the confrontation on stage.

If Lin Tian were here, he would recognize the familiar faces — Wang Wanxi, Ling Zishan, Tang Xuan Su, and an old man standing alongside them.

Behind the three stood Ji Zimo and Tang Ziqing, all Innate Experts.

"Is he the young man who defeated Zimo?" The elder said indifferently, revealing nothing of his thoughts. However, Ji Zimo’s gaze flickered, his heart stirring slightly.

Tang Xuan Su remained expressionless and silent, while Ling Zishan responded, "Elder Ji, he’s Lin Tian, the owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Sword."

"Seeing his clean and swift movement when he jumped on stage, I can’t tell which school he’s from," the elder shook his head.

"My father says the same. We can’t discern his sect, but we heard he mentioned practicing Ancient Body Technique. Master Tang has fought against him; I wonder if he noticed anything," Ling Zishan turned to Tang Xuan Su.

Tang Xuan Su remained unexpressive and said coldly, "His style is very peculiar, with a formidable physique capable of resisting Sword Qi. He does practice Ancient Body Technique but can also utilize a burning energy. He may be from the Ancient Hidden Lineage."

"Ancient Hidden Stream." The group fell silent, their expressions solemn, not speaking any further.

Ji Zimo and Tang Ziqing listened in bewilderment, not knowing what it meant or what the significance of the Ancient Hidden Stream was, to make even mid-Innate experts so reticent.

On the trade fair stage, Lin Tian and Situ Ruoling were still facing off, with more and more people gathering below.

"It seems your fans don’t have much faith in you," Situ Ruoling smiled, seemingly confident of victory.

Lin Tian picked up the leather armor and said calmly, "If your dagger can pierce my Heart Protecting Mirror, you win. If not, I win."

With that, he placed the Heart Protecting Mirror on his chest, making his point clear.

Situ Ruoling, however, frowned and spoke in a deep voice, "What do you mean? Putting it there, I could kill you with one strike!"

Lin Tian showed no fear, looking at her calmly, his hand making an "X" over the Heart Protecting Mirror. He said leisurely, "I’ve heard that with a quick enough hand and a sharp enough blade, one can instantly dig out a heart while it’s still beating. I want to see if the legend is true."

"You... you think I won’t dare! Don’t forget, I wish you were dead!" Situ Ruoling was momentarily stunned, speaking through clenched teeth and hatred.

Lin Tian smiled lightly, unhurried, "Come on, here’s your chance."

"He’s mad, Lin Tian must be crazy..." The crowd thought Lin Tian might be crazy, willing to gamble with his life.

"Madman!" Situ Ruoling cursed softly, her dagger swiftly thrusting towards Lin Tian’s Heart Protecting Mirror.

Thud!

With a dull sound, the dagger struck the center of the Heart Protecting Mirror. Some ill-intentioned individuals began to smile, while others couldn’t bear to watch. Ling Shuiyao even covered her eyes but peeked through her fingers.

Regardless of their mindset, the next moment, everyone was stunned because the dagger didn’t pierce Lin Tian’s Heart Protecting Mirror.

Those who knew the dagger’s background were even more shocked, like Situ Yufeng, who began to doubt his eyes, but the fact was right there. The revered sect treasure-level dagger failed to penetrate a simple leather armor!

"Impossible!" The most shocked and surprised was Situ Ruoling. The slash that could cut through heavy armor could do nothing to the leather armor.

"I don’t believe it!" Situ Ruoling’s eyes sparked with a fierce light, suddenly channeling True Qi. Ice crystals started to spread over the dagger, an effect of the Situ family’s Xuanbing True Energy.

Xuanbing Qixue, referring to the Situ family’s two great treasures, the Mystic Ice Blue Record and the Qixue Sword. Both the weapon and cultivation technique share the same attributes, making them immensely powerful together.

Though the dagger wasn’t the Qixue Sword, its power was considerable with the Xuanbing True Energy invoked, making nearby Ancient Martial Artists feel the chill.

But once again, everyone was astounded. No matter how Situ Ruoling channeled her True Qi, the leather armor remained unscathed.

Lin Tian looked directly at Situ Ruoling, his gaze carrying a faint smile, "You can use more force; I can still take it."

With that, he stepped forward, pressing against the dagger, forcing Situ Ruoling to retreat step by step.

Near the edge of the stage, Lin Tian finally stopped, saying, "You lost."

"I lost..." Situ Ruoling’s face turned gloomy, her arm holding the dagger hanging down in defeat.

"Since you lost, pay your bet." Lin Tian looked down at her, leaving no room for argument.

"Pay your bet!"

"Pay your bet..."

The crowd, snapping out of their shock, accepted Lin Tian’s victory. With Lin Tian’s win, it was time for Situ Ruoling to pay her bet, and the bet was quite cheeky, hence the crowd’s heckling.

"Anyone who dares to speak against us is opposing the Situ family!" Situ Yufeng suddenly shouted, his voice overpowering everyone else, with a hint of momentum spreading out.

As a Postnatal Perfection Ancient Martial Artist, his level wasn’t low, especially with the Situ family, an ancient martial family, backing him. This statement carried significant intimidation.