Chapter 97 – An Offer You Can’t Refuse

  Lin Yue and Shen Ruolan exchanged a glance the moment Zhao Wuxian’s words rang out over the plaza. Shen Ruolan’s frown deepened, and her eyes narrowed coldly as she stared at the muscular Disciple.

  “He’s not as dumb as he looks. Either that, or someone has been whispering in his ear beforehand.” Shen Ruolan murmured under her breath, and her tone was edged with reluctant acknowledgement and the desire to inflict violence on Zhao Wuxian.

  Lin Yue looked at her inquiringly, and Shen Ruolan took a moment to explain.

  “By saying that Jun De is stronger than him and that he won’t lose to Bai Xuelian, he’s turned all eyes toward him. If Jun De doesn’t step forward and accept the challenge, it will appear as though he is admitting his weakness. Zhao Wuxian will claim that Jun De is a coward, or that he is not stronger than him after all.”

  Lin Yue exhaled slowly, and the corners of her mouth tightened as she shook her head.

  “Senior Brother Jun De doesn’t care about his reputation. He won’t be goaded into a fight just because people are watching. Zhao Wuxian can stir the pot all he likes, but it won’t change his mind. The Dao is all that matters to Jun De, and he is too righteous to fight someone just to prove he is stronger.” Lin Yue replied, and her voice was calm but firm.

  Still, her gaze lingered on the crowd surrounding the plaza, watching the way the Disciples were whispering amongst themselves and staring at Jun De with expectation. Their conversations were filled with an undercurrent of anticipation that was growing each moment.

  If Jun De did step forward to fight, the entire Outer Sect would be watching.

  Jun De’s expression, so often calm and unshakable no matter what was happening inside his mind, shifted slightly into a look of open displeasure. The faint crease between his eyebrows deepened as Zhao Wuxian’s antics finally scratched their way past the mask he had managed to keep in place that hid his true feelings.

  He exhaled a breath that seemed to carry both resignation and resolve. Without even looking at Zhao Wuxian, Jun De stepped into the center of the plaza where Bai Xuelian stood. Her tall frame was wreathed in a faint, chilling pressure that came from her high cultivation.

  Her eyes were cold and hard as she stared at Jun De, and he could feel her measuring his worth without saying a word.

  When he reached her, Jun De stopped at the proper distance and clasped his hands. He bowed deeply and greeted her with respect while speaking in a voice that carried clearly enough for everyone to hear.

  “Senior Sister Bai. I believe it is Zhao Wuxian’s intention to sow discord between us. I respect you, and your cultivation, far too much to be goaded into a conflict that I know I will not win.” Jun De said, and his tone lacked even the slightest trace of arrogance.

  The murmuring from the crowd stopped as a stunned silence replaced it. Everyone in attendance was shocked at what Jun De was saying. They had expected him to accept the challenge, or at the very least say that he would try his hardest to defeat her.

  For him to confess right at the start that he had no hope of winning was something they had never thought a prodigy like Jun De would ever admit to.

  “I am not a genius, nor am I talented in cultivation. The few accomplishments that I have managed to achieve were born of luck and happenstance, not due to my talents. I do not mistake my fortune for skill.” Jun De continued, and his entire presence was humble.

  The statement struck the crowd harder than any boast from either him or Zhao Wuxian could have. For a cultivator to so openly acknowledge their limits, and to do so in front of their peers and superiors, was nearly unheard of.

  The crowd exchanged looks of disbelief, and even Shen Ruolan was shocked. She glanced at Lin Yue, who nodded and had an expression that said, ‘it’s just like I expected.’

  Some amongst the Outer Sect frowned, their faith in Jun De shaken, while others stared at him in confusion or even admiration.

  Even Bai Xuelian’s expression shifted. The frost in her eyes softened, even if it was only a fraction, and her lips parted ever so slightly in surprise. For a moment, she regarded Jun De in a different light.

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  She had thought that he would be another challenger, but he had unexpectedly sidestepped the entire matter, putting aside his ego and Zhao Wuxian’s provocation without a care for his own reputation.

  Behind them, Zhao Wuxian’s grin faltered and shifted to a scowl that was almost feral. His voice cracked like a whip across the plaza, loud enough to rattle the eardrums of those who were standing closest to him.

  “Coward!” He bellowed, and he pointed an accusatory finger at Jun De.

  “You have no care for your own reputation! You have no ‘face’! You stand there, in front of the entire Outer Sect, and you would run from a challenge!? Do you have no shame?!”

  Zhao Wuxian’s voice rose, and his words were sharp with righteous indignation. But whether he was being genuine or if it was feigned in order to push the conflict in the direction he wanted it to go, no one could tell.

  “By refusing to fight, you spit in the face of the Sect and every Disciple present today!”

  The crowd reacted to those words, and a chorus of muttering and whispers broke out. A few Disciples nodded along with Zhao Wuxian’s words, while others exchanged skeptical glances. It was clear to most what Zhao Wuxian was trying to do, but they were divided on whether they agreed with him or not.

  Jun De didn’t flinch at all. He straightened from his bow, while his expression remained as calm as still water.

  “I won’t be goaded into striking someone who has done me no wrong. A spar for ranking in the Inner Sect is one thing, but you are trying to stir up trouble where none belongs. If Senior Sister Bai insists on testing my abilities herself, then I will fight. But my heart will not be in it.” Jun De replied, and he appeared unshaken by Zhao Wuxian’s words.

  Inside, though, Jun De’s thoughts were far less dignified.

  ‘I don’t care what Zhao Wuxian says; if there is a way to avoid being beaten up in front of the entire Outer Sect, I’m going to take it. Anyone with sense would want to avoid being smacked around by Bai Xuelian!’

  For a long moment, silence returned to the crowd as Jun De’s statement sent another wave of surprise to those assembled. Bai Xuelian’s eyes flicked between Jun De and Zhao Wuxian, who looked as if he might start foaming at the mouth in rage.

  “I have heard of you, Junior Brother Jun De.” Bai Xuelian finally said, and Jun De was surprised when a faint smile curved her lips and her icy expression seemed to melt.

  “Your name has been making the rounds through the Inner Sect. Stories of your actions have reached even those who do not often concern themselves with the Outer Sect.”

  She took a step toward him, and her eyes never left his.

  “Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to meet you within the inheritance site or during the expedition against the demonic cultivators. But now that I have, I see that you are exactly as the rumours describe. I can see why my Master is so interested in you.”

  The silence returned, stronger than before, as the crowd waited in anticipation.

  “I will make you an offer. If you can withstand a single strike from me and remain standing, I will consider it your victory. Furthermore, I will personally sponsor your addition to the Inner Sect rankings.”

  A ripple of astonishment moved through the crowd of gathered Disciples at her words.

  Bai Xuelian turned her head to look toward the dais, where the Inner Sect Elder observed the proceedings with interest.

  “Elder, will you approve?” Bai Xuelian asked.

  After a moment, he nodded and shrugged his shoulders.

  “So be it. If Disciple Jun De endures one strike from you without falling, he will be granted the new lowest position within the Inner Sect rankings. He will have earned his place.” The Elder agreed.

  Bai Xuelian’s eyes returned to Jun De, and they didn’t hold any malice or anger.

  “I will not hold back, Junior Brother Jun De. You should prepare yourself.” She warned, and her tone carried the weight of her cultivation behind it.

  In the same instant, her Qi surged. It was as if an entire ocean descended upon Jun De. It was vast, deep, and immeasurably heavy. His knees threatened to bend under the invisible tide, and his breath tightened in his chest. This wasn’t just a slight difference in cultivation; it was a chasm.

  Bai Xuelian’s Qi was orders of magnitude greater than his own, and each time it surged, it felt like a mountain pressing against his bones. It made the Ninefold Refinement Array look tame in comparison!

  Jun De let out a long, resigned sigh.

  ‘So much for walking away without being smacked around in front of the entire Sect.’ Jun De thought sadly. He knew it had been a long shot as soon as Zhao Wuxian opened his big, stupid mouth.

  At least it was only a single attack, but he had seen what that had done to Zhao Wuxian, and Jun De doubted he would fare much better.

  With deliberately slow movements, Jun De withdrew the Cloudvein Jade Edge from his storage bag. The sword caught the light as though it was eager to clash against Bai Xuelian, and the young woman’s eyes narrowed as she recognized the sword immediately.

  ‘So, the rumours of his close relationship with Elder Mu are true as well.’ Bai Xuelian thought. She wasn’t surprised, not after observing Jun De for herself. There was a reason that everyone on the Tranquil Mountain, even in the Inner Sect, spoke about Jun De.

  It wasn’t just Jun De who was being reminded of his time inside the Ninefold Refinement Array. The crushing force he was now experiencing caused the Dawnheart Flame inside his Dantian to stir. A low hum thrummed through his veins, and the little flame began to slowly rotate.

  Jun De released his own Qi in response to Bai Xuelian’s.

  Golden light burst from him in a radiant halo, with faint tinges of purple around the edges that almost seemed to be a mirage that would fade in and out of existence, leaving those watching to wonder if the colour was truly there at all.

  The Dawnheart Flame inside his Dantian flared brightly, and a river of orange fire ignited his Qi, circling him in a protective ring that crackled with heat.