Chapter 997 - 996: Dugu Nian Goes to Battle

Chapter 997: Chapter 996: Dugu Nian Goes to Battle

"Fang Lin, that Shen Fan seems really impressive. Can you beat him?" Dugu Nian asked Fang Lin from the side.

Fang Lin smiled faintly, "He hasn’t shown all his strength, so I can’t say for sure how strong he really is."

Dugu Nian glanced at Fang Lin sideways, "You’re not scared, are you?"

Fang Lin patted her head, "You talk too much. Are you that confident in yourself? Don’t get defeated by your opponent as soon as you start."

Dugu Nian snorted lightly, "I won’t."

Meanwhile, the next Talent’s name was announced for battle, and coincidently, it was Dugu Nian’s.

"Finally, it’s my turn." Dugu Nian said, clearly eager to try.

When they heard the name of Dugu Nian’s opponent, both Fang Lin and Dugu Nian couldn’t help but laugh.

By some stroke of luck, it just happened to be Lu Shuihan, who had mocked Fang Lin and Dugu Nian earlier.

"This luck, I really don’t know what to say," Fang Lin said to Dugu Nian with a laugh.

"Hehe, watch how I’m going to beat that stinking Lu bug to a pulp!" Dugu Nian said with a sly grin, and with a leap, she flew up to the high platform.

Lu Shuihan had already arrived on stage earlier, his expression steady and contemptuously glanced at Dugu Nian.

"Lu, your luck is really terrible," Dugu Nian said, eyes brimming with triumph.

Lu Shuihan smiled indifferently, "Encountering someone of the Lu surname is your misfortune. I will let you know what a real Talent is."

On the VIP platform, Ye Mengxian saw Dugu Nian step up to fight, a flicker of anticipation passed through her eyes. After all, Dugu Nian was her current disciple, and naturally, she hoped she would win.

"Ye, is this young girl your disciple? Her realm seems a bit weak," said the Pingbei King, his profound cultivation allowing him to perceive Dugu Nian’s realm at a glance.

Ye Mengxian pursed her lips and smiled faintly, "Although her realm is low, her strength satisfies me greatly."

"Oh? You’re so confident in this young girl? Her opponent is not weak, you know. I’ve heard about this brat from the Wanyuan Chamber of Commerce. Although he’s not a Spirit Bone, he knows quite a few martial arts. With the young girl’s realm so low, I’m afraid she’s not his match," the Pingbei King said, somewhat surprised. Being from the Tang Country, he knew all too well the caliber of Lu Shuihan, who also hailed from Tang Country.

The Pingbei King spoke rather tactfully, as in his heart, he didn’t think Dugu Nian could be a match for Lu Shuihan.

Ye Mengxian’s smile grew, "Why don’t you and I make a bet, Prince?"

At her words, those beside them, including Tuoba Lie and Meng Haiwen, as well as the Lord of Sea Moon City, all turned to look at Ye Mengxian.

The Pingbei King laughed, "What bet?"

Ye Mengxian said, "We shall bet on the outcome of this fight between my disciple and Lu Shuihan. If my disciple wins, the Prince will give me three jars of your cherished Beast Spirit Liquor. If Lu Shuihan wins, I will give you three Lifespan Extension Pills. How about that? The wager is fair, isn’t it?"

The Pingbei King laughed heartily, "You sure have guts, Ye. You’re actually eyeing this Prince’s favorite Beast Spirit Liquor. It’s my most cherished possession, and I can hardly bring myself to drink a few sips normally, yet you want three jars just like that?"

Ye Mengxian revealed a proud expression, "It’s not that I want it, but my grandfather has tasted your Beast Spirit Liquor a few times and hasn’t stopped yearning for it. That’s why I’m making this bet with you, Prince. It’s up to you to agree or not. If you don’t, then it’s no big deal."

Hearing about the Beast Spirit Liquor, both Meng Haiwen and Tuoba Lie were somewhat surprised, and even the Lord of Sea Moon City showed a longing look.

Beast Spirit Liquor is an excellent drink, brewed only by Demon Beasts, akin to nectar. Consumed by martial artists, it can strengthen the body, invigorate the blood, and even extend one’s lifespan.

However, the method of brewing Beast Spirit Liquor was something the Human Clan had always failed to uncover; it could only be found in places where Demon Beasts congregated.

The Pingbei King, having guarded the northern frontier of Tang Country for many years and having slain countless Demon Beasts, naturally obtained some Beast Spirit Liquor. He had several dozen urns, all treasured by the King.

Those familiar with the Pingbei King knew that the old man would only partake in a small cup of Beast Spirit Liquor every three days. Even a significant figure like Elder Tiankui, when visiting the King, would only have a few cups of the liquor.

The Pingbei King huffed, "Let’s wager then. In my life, I’ve never been afraid, and you, girl, are underestimating me."

Ye Mengxian revealed a smile, "Then, on behalf of Grandfather, I thank the Prince for the Beast Spirit Liquor in advance."

The Pingbei King said unhappily, "The battle isn’t over yet. Perhaps it is you who will be giving me three Lifespan Extension Pills. But I won’t accept just any Lifespan Extension Pills; they must be personally refined by your grandfather."

"Of course, that’s no problem," said Ye Mengxian.

Meng Haiwen, standing beside them, looked on with envy. He too wanted to build a better relationship with the Pingbei King, but unfortunately, the King hardly paid him any heed.

At that moment, on the high platform, Dugu Nian slapped the Nine Palace Bag, but instead of pulling out a zither, she drew a sword.

"Eh?" Fang Lin was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought Dugu Nian would use the Tao of the Zither Martial Arts to fight Lu Shuihan, but unexpectedly, she chose to use a sword.

Dugu Nian certainly knew how to wield a sword, and the sword Martial Arts hereditary to the Dugu Family were extraordinary.

Dugu Nian’s elder brother, Dugu Ruoxu, was a Sword Tao genius. It was a pity that, limited by the Middle Three Kingdoms’ environment, he would have already made a name for himself if he were in the Upper Three Countries.

However, it seemed that Dugu Nian hadn’t used a sword in a long time. Ever since she obtained the ancient zither and the bizarre legacy of the Tao of the Zither from the Wuji Battle Temple, she had primarily focused on the zither.

In Fang Lin’s view, Lu Shuihan was not weak. Although Dugu Nian was somewhat erratic, she wouldn’t be overly confident in a situation like this; perhaps she had her own reasons for using a sword.

Lu Shuihan sneered, "Whatever you do, you cannot change the outcome of defeat."

Dugu Nian hummed lightly, "You talk too much."

With that, Dugu Nian moved and, to everyone’s surprise, she deployed the Traceless Body Skill Fang Lin had once used.

Her figure vanished, yet Sword Qi swirled around the entire array platform, leaving Lu Shuihan as if trapped within a whirlwind of Sword Qi. No actual sword shadows attacked, yet it felt as if countless sword lights were flying towards him.

Fang Lin was taken aback, never expecting the girl to have mastered his Traceless Body Skill.

The Traceless Body Skill was Fang Lin’s unique creation, inspired by Qing Jianzi’s Traceless Sword Tactic combined with his own Nine Heavens Step Skill.

Fang Lin had not deliberately taught Dugu Nian this movement technique, but she had learned it regardless, no doubt with considerable effort and hardship.

"Where is the person? Why can’t we see Dugu Nian?"

"The Sword Qi is still there, but where has she gone?"

"Could it be an illusion? Or some kind of bewitchment?"

...

Many in the crowd below showed expressions of astonishment. On the platform, Lu Shuihan also frowned slightly, obviously not expecting Dugu Nian to possess such formidable skills.