Listening to Zhang Liusun’s words, Hsu Fu was indeed momentarily stunned, his expression dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he spat out angrily, “You little brat, how come you’re even craftier than your ancestors?”
“My ancestors?” Zhang Liusun replied, somewhat surprised. “Do you mean Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu?”
“Who else could I mean?” Hsu Fu growled. “Daring to assassinate the emperor and then escaping from the hands of so many powerful cultivators—truly slippery indeed. Yet, despite that fellow’s deviousness, he still had some sense of integrity. You, on the other hand, although your cultivation is far inferior to mine, you’re still a decent master in your own right—how could you stoop so low and behave so shamelessly?”
Zhang Liusun burst into laughter and said, “Although I share the same surname as that Marquis, I wouldn’t dare to claim we’re from the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—”
Zhang paused, then continued carelessly, “If I choose to act shamelessly, what can you do about it?”
Hsu Fu was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by the retort.
Upon hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, Xu Fu was momentarily stunned, his expression dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he finally spoke with a tone of resentment, “You brat, how can you be even more cunning than your ancestor?”
“My ancestor?” Zhang Liusun was also momentarily surprised. “Are you referring to Marquis Zhang Liang?”
“Who else could it be?” Xu Fu said bitterly. “He dared to assassinate the emperor and escaped from the hands of many masters, slippery as an eel. Although that scoundrel was full of wickedness, he still had some integrity. You, on the other hand, though your cultivation is far inferior to mine, can barely be considered a master of your generation. How can you be so shameless and unruly? What kind of behavior is this?”
Zhang Liusun laughed heartily. “Though I share the same surname as that Marquis, I dare not claim to be of the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—” He paused, then continued nonchalantly, “So what if I am? What can you do about it?”
Xu Fu was left speechless, unable to retort.
Zhang Liusun chuckled. “Old Xu, to be honest, you’re quite a character. But today’s matter can’t be blamed on me, can it? You were imprisoned here, and if it weren’t for my tireless efforts to find this place and summon the tribulation lightning, how would you have escaped? So, whether intentional or not, I’ve done you a great favor, haven’t I?”
Xu Fu’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered, “Even if that’s true, but—”
Before Xu Fu could finish, Zhang Liusun interrupted, “Since you admit it, what did you do once you were free? You took advantage of my tribulation to ambush me, causing me to fail and lose my physical body. Is this how an ancient immortal repays kindness? Is this the behavior of a noble immortal?”
Xu Fu’s face turned red, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
In truth, this place was once Xu Fu’s cave abode. After a great battle with other cultivators, he was sealed beneath the sea. Upon breaking free and finding his cave occupied, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable for him to retaliate. However, Zhang Liusun’s accusation of “repaying kindness with malice” struck a chord, and Xu Fu, being a loose immortal with the pride of an ancient being, was left speechless.
Zhang Liusun, however, wasn’t done. “Even so, I didn’t seek to destroy you completely. To boast a little, I am the leader of a major sect, and in the world of Daoism, my sect holds a prominent position. If I had mobilized my entire sect against you, you would have been long dead and buried! Did you think I didn’t know you were recovering at the bottom of the sea? But I chose to let you go, out of goodwill. Yet, you remain ungrateful, still plotting to make a comeback. I must ask, Immortal Xu, what have I done to deserve your relentless pursuit?”
Xu Fu was taken aback by Zhang Liusun’s question. After a long silence, he finally said hoarsely, “This place is my cave abode, and you have taken it over without permission…”
“Old Xu, how dare you say that!” Zhang Liusun shouted. “Open your eyes and look around. When did this Jieshi Mountain become your cave? Why don’t you claim Kunlun Mountain as your own as well? Even if you once cultivated here, what happened afterward? You were defeated like a stray dog, sealed beneath the mountain, trapped for thousands of years. How can you still call this your cave? I went through great lengths to break the sealing array, open this place, and release you, and now you have the audacity to claim it as your own?”
Xu Fu’s face alternated between green and red as he listened to Zhang Liusun’s tirade. He wanted to retaliate but hesitated, fearing the consequences. He wanted to argue but found Zhang Liusun’s words irrefutable. After grinding his teeth in frustration, he finally said bitterly, “So, what do you propose?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, and with a flick of his left hand, a Luohan bed appeared out of thin air. He reclined on it with an air of nonchalance and said, “Well, it’s clear that you’re in the wrong. But I’m magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. I won’t demand compensation either. We don’t have any life-and-death enmity, so there’s no need for us to fight to the death. Besides, as high-level cultivators, we shouldn’t behave like street thugs, brawling over trivial matters. I’m tired of holding onto this grudge. How about we settle this with a bet? Regardless of who wins or loses, we’ll consider the matter closed. What do you say?”
Xu Fu sneered. “In the end, it always comes down to a test of strength. But Zhang, what do you propose to bet on? If it’s a contest of cunning and deceit, I’m no match for you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “If it’s about shamelessness and underhandedness, I’ll admit defeat. As cultivators, if we’re going to compete, it should be based on our abilities. How about this? I’ll set the challenge. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu’s heart sank as he listened to Zhang Liusun’s proposal. Ever since he met this young man, whether in strategy, combat, or verbal exchanges, he had never gained the upper hand. Now, with Zhang Liusun suddenly proposing a bet, Xu Fu couldn’t help but suspect that there was some hidden scheme.
Seeing Xu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily. “Old Xu! I used to think you were shameless but still somewhat of a character. But now I see you’re just a coward! When it comes to fighting, you’re afraid of damaging your precious cauldron and hold back. When I propose a bet, you’re too scared to accept. What do you want to do? Maybe you should just crawl back to the bottom of the sea and hide for another thousand years!”
Xu Fu’s face turned purple with rage. “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I’ll take the bet! What do you propose we compete in?”
Zhang Liusun grinned. “Since it’s a bet, let’s compete with our most prized possessions. What do you think?”
Xu Fu frowned. “Our most prized possessions? What do you mean?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You old fool, how can you be so dense? What else do you have but that stolen bronze statue you use to intimidate others? I’m challenging you to a contest with that!”
Not only Xu Fu, but even Mei Qing, who was standing nearby, was stunned by Zhang Liusun’s audacious proposal.
The power of Xu Fu’s bronze statue, though not fully displayed earlier, had already left Mei Qing deeply impressed. If it were to unleash its full power, Zhang Liusun would likely be at a disadvantage. Moreover, in the world of cultivation, bets were usually based on techniques and abilities. If Zhang Liusun wanted to compete with the bronze statue, it would mean using his own crafted artifacts or puppets to battle it, not engaging in direct combat.
Mei Qing was puzzled, wondering if Zhang Liusun had some hidden treasure. Otherwise, given his cautious nature, why would he propose such a risky bet?
Xu Fu was also skeptical. After blinking for a while, he finally said, “You want to compete with that? Are you serious?”
Zhang Liusun smirked. “Old Xu, when have I ever gone back on my word? I’m challenging you to this. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu asked suspiciously, “Then what do you plan to use? Are you going to face my bronze statue yourself?”
“Bah!” Zhang Liusun said with disdain. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t follow the rules? Old Xu, you’re old enough to know the rules of a bet. Since you’re using your bronze statue, I won’t break the rules and take advantage of you, even though I could easily defeat that clumsy piece of metal.”
“Then what will you use?” Xu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “Do you have some hidden treasure?”
“Old Xu, it seems you’re not only senile but also blind!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Can’t you see my avatar standing here all this time? I’ll use it to compete with your bronze statue. How about it? Do you dare?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he saw Xu Fu looking at him with a strange expression, he realized that Zhang Liusun was referring to him as the “avatar.” He was instantly furious and wanted to protest.
It was no wonder Mei Qing was angry. Earlier, pretending to be an avatar to intimidate Xu Fu was one thing, but now Zhang Liusun wanted him to fight the bronze statue? The statue was massive—one slap from it would flatten him!
Just as Mei Qing was about to speak, he found that he couldn’t make a sound. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth wouldn’t open. This realization shocked him, and he soon discovered that he couldn’t move at all. It was as if some spell had been cast on him, rendering him completely immobile.
Mei Qing was filled with hatred for Zhang Liusun, cursing himself for being too inexperienced and falling into his trap. Knowing that Zhang Liusun had mastered the Divine Thunder Technique and had used Thunder Sealing Arts, why hadn’t he considered that Zhang Liusun was far more skilled than him? Using Thunder Sealing to protect himself was like having no defense at all. If he had thought of this earlier and used other methods, he would have been much safer.
While Mei Qing was filled with regret and anger, Xu Fu was scrutinizing him, deep in thought.
When Xu Fu first saw Mei Qing, he didn’t pay much attention, assuming he was just one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars. But upon closer inspection, he realized that Mei Qing was quite different from an ordinary avatar.
Firstly, he noticed that Mei Qing seemed to possess his own primordial spirit, which in his mind made him more than just an avatar—he could be considered a second primordial spirit. Such a feat was truly astonishing. Secondly, he sensed that his own sub-cauldron was within Mei Qing’s body. This further convinced him that Mei Qing was indeed one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars.
According to Xu Fu’s knowledge, creating an avatar was an extremely difficult task, let alone crafting one that was indistinguishable from a human. However, difficulty didn’t mean impossibility. In fact, the process of a loose immortal reshaping their body could be considered a form of body refinement.
Moreover, Zhang Liusun had always been full of tricks, and even Xu Fu couldn’t claim to be superior to him. Now, it was clear that Mei Qing’s avatar was far inferior to his bronze statue in terms of cultivation. Given this, why would the cunning Zhang Liusun propose such a bet?
Xu Fu couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to this than met the eye.
Hsu Fu’s face flushed slightly as he mumbled, “Even if that’s true, still—”
Upon hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, Xu Fu was momentarily stunned, his expression fluctuating between dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he finally spat out with resentment, “You brat, how are you even more cunning than your ancestor?”
“My ancestor?” Zhang Liusun was also taken aback. “Are you referring to Marquis Zhang Liang?”
“Who else could it be?” Xu Fu said bitterly. “He dared to assassinate the emperor and escaped from the hands of many masters, slippery as an eel. Though that scoundrel was full of malice, he at least had some integrity. You, on the other hand, though your cultivation is far inferior to mine, barely qualify as a master of your generation. How can you be so shameless and unruly? What kind of example are you setting?”
Zhang Liusun burst into laughter. “Though I share the same surname as that Marquis, I dare not claim to be of the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—” He paused, then said nonchalantly, “So what if I am? What can you do about it?”
Xu Fu was left speechless, unable to retort.
Zhang Liusun continued with a smile, “Old Monster Xu, to be fair, you are indeed a figure of some renown. But today’s matter can hardly be blamed on me, can it? You were imprisoned here, and if it weren’t for my tireless efforts to locate this place and summon the tribulation lightning, how would you have escaped? So, whether intentional or not, I’ve done you a great favor, haven’t I?”
Xu Fu’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered, “Even if that’s true, but—”
Before Xu Fu could finish, Zhang Liusun cut him off. “Since you admit it, what did you do once you were free? You took advantage of my tribulation to ambush me, causing me to fail and lose my physical body. Is this how an ancient immortal repays kindness?”
Xu Fu’s face turned crimson, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
In truth, this place was once Xu Fu’s cave abode. After a fierce battle with other cultivators, he was sealed beneath the sea. Upon escaping, he found his cave occupied and lashed out, which, though not entirely unreasonable, was still a low blow. Zhang Liusun, however, seized on the accusation of “repaying kindness with malice,” and Xu Fu, being a loose immortal with the pride of an ancient figure, was left speechless.
Zhang Liusun pressed on, “Even so, I didn’t seek to destroy you completely. To boast a little, I am the leader of a major sect, and in the world of Daoism, my sect holds a prominent position. If I had mobilized the full force of my sect against you, you would have been utterly annihilated! Did you think I didn’t know you were recovering at the bottom of the sea? But I chose to let you go, out of goodwill. Yet, you remain ungrateful and seek to make a comeback. I must ask, Immortal Xu, what have I done to deserve your relentless pursuit?”
Xu Fu was momentarily stunned by the question. After a long pause, he finally said hoarsely, “This place is my cave abode, yet you’ve taken it over—”
“Old Monster Xu, how dare you say that!” Zhang Liusun shouted. “Open your eyes and look around! When did this sacred mountain become your cave? Why not claim Mount Kunlun as your home too? Even if you once cultivated here, what happened afterward? You were beaten like a stray dog, sealed beneath the mountain, and trapped for thousands of years. How can you still call this your cave? I went through great effort to break the sealing array, opened this place, and freed you. And now you have the audacity to claim it as your own?”
Xu Fu’s face alternated between green and red as Zhang Liusun’s words hit home. He wanted to lash out but hesitated, fearing the consequences. He wanted to argue but found Zhang Liusun’s reasoning flawless. After grinding his teeth in frustration, he finally spat out, “Then what do you propose?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, and with a flick of his left hand, a Luohan bed appeared on the ground. He reclined on it with an air of nonchalance and said, “Well, you’re clearly in the wrong here. But I’m magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. I won’t demand compensation either. We don’t have any life-or-death enmity, so there’s no need for us to fight to the death. Besides, as esteemed figures, we shouldn’t brawl like street thugs over trivial matters. I’m tired of holding onto this grudge. How about we settle it with a wager? Regardless of who wins, we’ll let bygones be bygones. What do you say?”
Xu Fu sneered, “In the end, it always comes down to a test of strength. But Zhang, what do you propose to wager? If it’s a contest of cunning and deceit, I’m no match for you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “If it’s about shamelessness, I’d concede defeat. As cultivators, we should compete based on our abilities. How about this? I’ll set the challenge. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu’s heart sank. Ever since he met this brat, whether in strategy, combat, or words, he had never gained the upper hand. Now that Zhang Liusun proposed a wager, Xu Fu couldn’t help but suspect some hidden scheme.
Seeing Xu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily. “Old Monster Xu! I once thought you were shameless but still a figure of some standing. Now I see you’re just a coward! You’re afraid to fight because you don’t want to damage your precious cauldron. And now you’re too scared to accept a wager. What do you want to do? Crawl back to the bottom of the sea and hide for another thousand years?”
Xu Fu’s face turned purple with rage. “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I’ll take the wager! What’s the challenge?”
Zhang Liusun grinned. “Since it’s a wager, let’s compete with our most prized possessions. What do you think?”
Xu Fu frowned. “Our most prized possessions? What do you mean?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You old monster, you seem clever, but how can you be so dense? What else do you have but that stolen bronze statue you use to intimidate others? I’m challenging you to a contest with that!”
Not only Xu Fu, but even Mei Qing, who was standing nearby, was stunned by Zhang Liusun’s audacity.
The power of Xu Fu’s bronze statue, though not fully displayed earlier, had already left Mei Qing in awe. If it were to unleash its full strength, Zhang Liusun would likely be at a disadvantage. Moreover, in the world of cultivation, wagers were typically based on techniques and abilities. If Zhang Liusun intended to compete with the bronze statue, he would need to use a puppet or artifact of his own to face it.
Mei Qing was puzzled. Did Zhang Liusun possess some hidden treasure? Otherwise, why would he engage in such a risky bet?
Xu Fu was equally skeptical. After blinking in disbelief, he finally said, “You’re serious about this?”
Zhang Liusun smirked. “Old Monster Xu, when have I ever gone back on my word? So, do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu asked suspiciously, “Then what will you use to compete? Are you planning to face my bronze statue yourself?”
“Bah!” Zhang Liusun said with disdain. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t follow the rules? Old Monster Xu, you’re of a certain age. Don’t you know the rules of a wager? Since you’re using your bronze statue, I won’t take advantage of you by using my own strength. I’ll follow the rules.”
“Then what will you use?” Xu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “Do you have some hidden treasure?”
“Old Monster Xu, it seems you’re not only senile but also blind!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Can’t you see my avatar standing here all this time? I’ll use it to compete with your clumsy bronze statue. So, do you dare?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he noticed Xu Fu looking at him with a strange expression, he realized that Zhang Liusun’s “avatar” referred to him. Instantly, he was filled with rage and wanted to protest.
It was no wonder Mei Qing was angry. Earlier, pretending to be an avatar to intimidate Xu Fu was one thing, but now Zhang Liusun wanted him to fight the bronze statue? That statue was enormous! One slap from it would flatten him!
Just as Mei Qing was about to speak, he found himself unable to make a sound. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth wouldn’t open. To his horror, he realized he couldn’t move either, as if some spell had been cast on him, rendering him completely immobilized.
Mei Qing cursed Zhang Liusun inwardly, berating himself for being too inexperienced and falling into his trap. Knowing that Zhang Liusun had mastered the Divine Thunder Technique and seeing him use Thunder Sealing Arts, why hadn’t he considered that Zhang Liusun was far more skilled than him? Using Thunder Sealing Arts to protect himself was like having no defense at all. If he had thought of this earlier and used other methods, he would have been much safer.
While Mei Qing was seething with regret, Xu Fu was scrutinizing him, deep in thought.
When Xu Fu first saw Mei Qing, he didn’t pay much attention, assuming he was just one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars. But upon closer inspection, he realized that Mei Qing was quite different from an ordinary avatar.
First, he noticed that Mei Qing seemed to possess his own primordial spirit, which, in Xu Fu’s mind, elevated him from a mere avatar to a second primordial spirit. Such a feat was truly astonishing. Second, he sensed that his sub-cauldron was inside Mei Qing’s body. This only reinforced his belief that Mei Qing was indeed Zhang Liusun’s avatar.
As Xu Fu knew, creating an avatar was an extremely difficult task, let alone crafting one that was indistinguishable from a human. However, difficulty didn’t mean impossibility. In fact, the process of a loose immortal reshaping their body could be considered a form of body refinement.
Moreover, Zhang Liusun had always been full of tricks, and even Xu Fu couldn’t claim to be superior to him. Now, it was clear that Mei Qing’s avatar was no match for Xu Fu’s bronze statue. So why would the cunning Zhang Liusun propose such a wager?
Hearing this, Hsu Fu’s face turned bright red, and for a moment, he couldn’t utter a word.
Actually, this place had once been Hsu Fu’s own cave dwelling. It was here that he had fought a fierce battle with other cultivators long ago and was sealed beneath the sea. Thus, upon escaping, finding his dwelling occupied, he wouldn’t be entirely out of line to lash out. However, Zhang Liusun seized the opportunity to accuse him of repaying kindness with malice, leaving Hsu Fu, a wandering immortal with ancient dignity, momentarily speechless.
But Zhang Liusun wasn’t finished yet. He continued, “Even then, I didn’t seek to destroy you completely. Let me boast a bit—I am the leader of a sect, and if we talk about the Daoist sects across the land, my sect is certainly among the most prestigious. If I had truly mobilized my entire sect against you, you’d probably have been dead without even a grave! Did you really think I didn’t know you were cultivating and recovering beneath the sea? I allowed you to go free out of kindness. Yet you, with a heart full of treachery, actually dared to plot a comeback. I’d like to ask, Master Xu, what exactly did I do to offend you so much that you persist in targeting me?”
Hsu Fu was momentarily stunned by Zhang Liusun’s questioning. After a long silence, he finally replied dryly, “This place was my cave dwelling. And you dared to occupy it like a cuckoo taking over a magpie’s nest…”
“Master Xu, do you still have the nerve to say that?” Zhang Liusun roared. “Open your eyes and look around. When did this sacred Mount Jieshi become your dwelling? Why don’t you claim the Kunlun Mountains as yours too? Even if you did cultivate here once, what happened later? You were beaten like a stray dog and crushed beneath the mountain, sealed within a formation for over a thousand years. And now you dare to call this place your cave dwelling? I painstakingly broke the mountain-sealing formation, cleared this place, and freed you. And now you have the audacity to challenge me for control of this mountain?”
Hsu Fu’s face turned alternately green and red under Zhang Liusun’s torrent of words. He wanted to lash out and fight, but hesitated out of fear of collateral damage. He wanted to defend himself, but found Zhang Liusun’s arguments seemingly unassailable. After a long, bitter pause, he finally spat out, “Then according to you, what should be done?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, flicked his left hand, and instantly a wooden couch appeared from thin air. He sat half-reclining on it in a relaxed manner and said, “Well, clearly this is your fault. But I, being magnanimous, don’t wish to dwell on it further, nor do I demand any compensation from you. We don’t have any deadly grudge, so there’s no need to fight to the death, right? Besides, people like us shouldn’t act like street thugs, brawling over the smallest matters. I’m tired of holding this grudge. How about we settle it with a contest—regardless of who wins or loses, we’ll call it even. What do you say?”
Hsu Fu sneered coldly, “In the end, it still comes down to a fight. But tell me, what exactly do you want to bet? If it’s about cunning and trickery, I naturally can’t match you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “If it’s about shamelessness and lowliness, I’ll gladly admit defeat. But as cultivators, if we’re to compete, it should naturally be about our abilities. How about it? I’ll set the terms—do you dare accept?”
Hearing this, Hsu Fu couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
The reason was simple—since meeting this brat, he had never gained the upper hand in wit, combat, or words. Now, this guy suddenly proposed a contest, which naturally made Hsu Fu suspect some hidden scheme.
Seeing Hsu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily, “Master Xu, I used to think you were despicable and low, but at least somewhat formidable. But now you’re acting like such a coward! If it’s about fighting, you’re afraid of damaging your wretched cauldron and dare not move freely. Now I propose a contest, and you still hesitate. What exactly do you want to do? Why don’t you just crawl back to the sea and hide for another thousand years?”
Hsu Fu’s face turned deep purple with rage as he shouted, “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I accept your bet! Now tell me, what exactly do you want to compete in?”
Zhang Liusun grinned and said, “Since it’s a bet, we should compete in what each of us is most proud of. What do you think?”
Hsu Fu frowned. “Most proud of? Just tell me straight, what is it?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You may look sharp, Master Xu, but you’re surprisingly dull. What skills do you really have? Nothing but relying on a stolen bronze figure to scare people. I want to compete with you in that!”
Not only Hsu Fu, even Mei Qing, standing nearby, was momentarily stunned by Zhang Liusun’s bold claim.
Although they hadn’t yet seen the full might of Hsu Fu’s bronze figure, even a glimpse of its power had left Mei Qing secretly astonished. If it were to unleash its full strength, Zhang Liusun might not fare well. Moreover, in the cultivation world, contests usually involved competing in techniques and skills. That meant if Zhang Liusun wanted to challenge Hsu Fu’s bronze figure, he would need to deploy his own crafted puppet or magical artifact to fight against it.
Upon hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, Xu Fu was momentarily stunned, his expression dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he finally spat out bitterly, “You little brat, how are you even more cunning than your ancestor?”
“My ancestor?” Zhang Liusun was also taken aback. “Are you referring to Marquis Zhang Liang?”
“Who else could it be?” Xu Fu said with resentment. “He dared to assassinate the emperor and escaped from the hands of many masters, slippery as an eel. Although that scoundrel was full of wickedness, he at least had some integrity. You, on the other hand, though your cultivation is far inferior to mine and you barely qualify as a master of your generation, how can you be so shameless and unruly? What kind of behavior is this?”
Zhang Liusun burst into laughter. “Though I share the same surname as that Marquis, I dare not claim to be of the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—” He paused, then said nonchalantly, “So what if I am? What can you do about it?”
Xu Fu was left speechless, unable to retort.
Zhang Liusun continued with a smile, “Old Xu, to be honest, you’re quite a figure. But today’s matter can’t be blamed on me, can it? You were imprisoned here, and if it weren’t for my tireless efforts to find this place and summon the heavenly tribulation, how would you have escaped? So, whether intentional or not, I’ve done you a great favor, haven’t I?”
Xu Fu’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered, “Even if that’s the case, but—”
Before Xu Fu could finish, Zhang Liusun cut him off. “Since you admit it, what did you do once you were free? You took advantage of my tribulation to ambush me, causing me to fail and lose my physical body. Is this how an ancient immortal repays kindness?”
Xu Fu’s face turned crimson, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
In truth, this place was once Xu Fu’s cave abode. After a fierce battle with other cultivators, he was sealed beneath the ocean. Upon escaping, he found his cave occupied and lashed out, which wasn’t entirely unreasonable. However, Zhang Liusun’s accusation of “repaying kindness with malice” struck a nerve. As a loose immortal with the pride of an ancient being, Xu Fu was left speechless.
Zhang Liusun pressed on, “Even so, I didn’t seek to destroy you. To boast a little, I am the leader of a major sect, and in the world of Daoism, my sect holds a prominent position. If I had mobilized my entire sect against you, you would have been annihilated long ago! Did you think I didn’t know you were recovering at the bottom of the sea? But I chose to let you go, out of goodwill. Yet, you remain ungrateful and seek to make a comeback. I must ask, Immortal Xu, what have I done to deserve your relentless pursuit?”
Xu Fu was momentarily stunned by Zhang Liusun’s question. After a long pause, he said hoarsely, “This place is my cave abode, yet you’ve taken it over—”
“Old Xu, how dare you say that!” Zhang Liusun shouted. “Open your eyes and look around. When did this sacred mountain become your cave? Why not claim Kunlun as your home too? Even if you once cultivated here, what happened afterward? You were beaten like a stray dog, buried beneath the mountain, and sealed for thousands of years. How can you still call this your cave? I went through great lengths to break the sealing array, open this place, and release you. And now you have the audacity to claim it as your own?”
Xu Fu’s face alternated between green and red as he listened to Zhang Liusun’s tirade. He wanted to retaliate but hesitated, fearing the consequences. He wanted to argue but found Zhang Liusun’s reasoning flawless. After gritting his teeth for a while, he finally said bitterly, “So, what do you propose?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, and with a wave of his hand, a Luohan bed appeared on the ground. He reclined on it casually and said, “Well, you’re clearly in the wrong here. But I’m magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. I don’t need any compensation from you. We don’t have any life-or-death enmity, so there’s no need for us to fight to the death. Besides, as esteemed cultivators, we shouldn’t act like street thugs, brawling over trivial matters. Let’s settle this with a bet. Regardless of who wins, we’ll consider the matter closed. What do you say?”
Xu Fu sneered, “In the end, it always comes down to a test of strength. But Zhang, what do you propose we bet on? If it’s about cunning and deceit, I’m no match for you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “If it’s about shamelessness, I’ll admit defeat. As cultivators, we should compete based on our abilities. How about this? I’ll set the terms. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu’s heart sank. Ever since he met Zhang Liusun, he had been outmatched in strategy, combat, and rhetoric. Now that Zhang proposed a bet, Xu Fu couldn’t help but suspect some hidden scheme.
Seeing Xu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily. “Old Xu! I used to think you were shameless but still somewhat respectable. Now I see you’re just a coward! You’re afraid to fight because you don’t want to damage your precious cauldron. And now you’re too scared to accept a bet. What do you want to do? Just crawl back to the bottom of the sea and hide for another thousand years!”
Xu Fu’s face turned purple with rage. He shouted, “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I’ll take the bet! What do you propose we compete in?”
Zhang Liusun grinned. “Since it’s a bet, let’s compete with our most prized possessions. What do you think?”
Xu Fu frowned. “Our most prized possessions? Just say it plainly. What do you mean?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You old fool, you’re supposed to be clever, but you’re so dense! What’s your greatest skill? It’s that bronze puppet you stole, isn’t it? I want to compete with that!”
Not only Xu Fu, but even Mei Qing, who was standing nearby, was stunned by Zhang Liusun’s audacity.
Xu Fu’s bronze puppet, though not fully unleashed earlier, had already shown enough power to make Mei Qing wary. If it were to go all out, Zhang Liusun might not fare well. Moreover, in the world of cultivation, such bets usually involved competing with one’s own crafted artifacts or techniques. If Zhang Liusun wanted to compete with the bronze puppet, he would need to use his own crafted artifact or puppet.
Mei Qing was puzzled. Did Zhang Liusun have some hidden treasure? Otherwise, why would he take such a risky bet?
Xu Fu was also skeptical. After blinking for a while, he said, “Compete with that? Are you serious?”
Zhang Liusun smirked. “Old Xu, when have I ever gone back on my word? I’m serious. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu asked suspiciously, “Then what will you use to compete? Are you planning to face my bronze puppet yourself?”
“Bah!” Zhang Liusun said with disdain. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t follow the rules? Old Xu, you’re old enough to know the rules of a bet. Since you’re using your bronze puppet, I won’t break the rules by using my own body. I’ll use my own crafted artifact.”
Xu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “What do you have that can compete with my bronze puppet?”
“Old Xu, you’re not just senile, you’re blind too!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Can’t you see my avatar standing here all this time? I’ll use it to compete with your bronze puppet. What do you say? Do you dare?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he saw Xu Fu looking at him strangely, he realized Zhang Liusun was referring to him as the “avatar.” Anger surged within him, and he wanted to protest.
It was no wonder Mei Qing was furious. Earlier, pretending to be an avatar to intimidate Xu Fu was one thing, but now Zhang Liusun wanted him to fight the bronze puppet? That thing was massive! One slap from it, and he’d be flattened!
Just as Mei Qing was about to speak, he found himself unable to make a sound. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth wouldn’t open. Panicking, he realized he couldn’t move either. Some unknown technique had immobilized him completely.
Mei Qing cursed Zhang Liusun inwardly, berating himself for being too inexperienced and falling into such a trap. Knowing that Zhang Liusun had mastered the Divine Thunder Technique and had used Thunder Sealing Arts, he should have realized that Zhang was far more skilled than him. Using Thunder Sealing Arts to protect himself was like leaving himself defenseless. If he had thought of that earlier and used other methods, he would have been much safer.
While Mei Qing was seething with regret, Xu Fu was scrutinizing him, deep in thought.
When Xu Fu first saw Mei Qing, he didn’t pay much attention, assuming he was just one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars. But upon closer inspection, he realized Mei Qing was quite different from a typical avatar.
For one, Mei Qing seemed to possess his own primordial spirit, which in Xu Fu’s mind made him more of a second primordial spirit than a mere avatar. Such a feat was truly astonishing. Secondly, Xu Fu sensed that his own sub-cauldron was inside Mei Qing’s body. This only reinforced his belief that Mei Qing was indeed one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars.
According to Xu Fu’s knowledge, crafting an avatar was an extremely difficult task, let alone making it indistinguishable from a human. However, difficulty didn’t mean impossibility. In fact, the process of a loose immortal’s physical reconstruction was akin to a form of body refinement.
Moreover, Zhang Liusun had always been full of tricks, and even Xu Fu couldn’t claim to be superior to him. Now, it was clear that Mei Qing’s avatar was no match for Xu Fu’s bronze puppet. So why would the cunning Zhang Liusun propose such a bet?
Hsu Fu was also somewhat incredulous. After blinking for a long time, he finally said, “A contest in this? Are you serious?”
Zhang Liusun curled his lip and said, “Master Xu, when have you ever known me to go back on my word? This is exactly what I propose—will you accept the challenge or not?”
Hsu Fu asked suspiciously, “Then what do you intend to use for this contest? Are you planning to fight my bronze figure directly?”
“Tsk tsk!” Zhang Liusun retorted indignantly. “Do you really think I’m someone who ignores rules and acts recklessly? Master Xu, you’re not young anymore—how come you don’t even know the rules of a contest? Since you’re using your bronze figure, although I could easily topple that clumsy metal statue with a single hand, I wouldn’t take advantage of you by breaking the rules.”
“Then what are you going to use?” Hsu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “Do you have something valuable hidden on you?”
“Master Xu, it seems not only are you senile, but your eyesight is failing too!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Haven’t you noticed my doppelgänger standing here for ages? I’ll use it to compete against your clumsy bronze figure. How about that? Are you brave enough to accept?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he saw Hsu Fu looking at him strangely, he suddenly realized that the “doppelgänger” Zhang Liusun was referring to was none other than himself. Instantly furious, he wanted to protest.
It’s understandable that Mei Qing was angry. At first, pretending to be a doppelgänger to scare Hsu Fu was fine, but now he was expected to fight against that bronze figure directly? What kind of opponent was that bronze figure? One slap from it, and he’d be flattened like a pancake.
Just as Mei Qing was about to speak, he suddenly found himself unable to utter a sound. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth wouldn’t open. To his shock, he then realized he couldn’t move at all—somehow, his entire body had become unresponsive, as if bound by an invisible force.
Upon hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, Xu Fu was indeed stunned, his expression dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he finally said with resentment, “You brat, how are you even more cunning than your ancestor?”
“My ancestor?” Zhang Liusun was momentarily surprised. “Are you referring to Marquis Zhang Liang?”
“Who else could it be?” Xu Fu said bitterly. “He dared to assassinate the emperor and escaped from the hands of many masters, slippery as an eel. Although that scoundrel was full of mischief, he still had some integrity. You, on the other hand, though your cultivation is far inferior to mine, can barely be considered a master of your generation. How can you be so shameless and unruly? What kind of behavior is this?”
Zhang Liusun burst into laughter. “Although I share the same surname as that Marquis, I dare not claim to be of the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—” He paused, then said nonchalantly, “So what if I am? What can you do about it?”
Xu Fu was left speechless, unable to retort.
Zhang Liusun continued with a smile, “Old Xu, to be honest, you’re quite a figure. But today’s matter can’t be blamed on me, can it? You were imprisoned here, and if it weren’t for my tireless efforts to find this place and summon the heavenly tribulation lightning, how would you have escaped? So, whether intentional or not, I’ve done you a great favor, haven’t I?”
Xu Fu’s face turned slightly red, and he stammered, “Even if that’s true, but—”
Before Xu Fu could finish, Zhang Liusun interrupted, “Since you admit it, what did you do once you escaped? You took advantage of my tribulation to ambush me, causing me to fail and lose my physical body. Is this how an ancient immortal repays kindness? Is this the behavior of an immortal?”
Xu Fu’s face flushed crimson, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
In truth, this place was originally Xu Fu’s cave. After a great battle with other cultivators, he was sealed beneath the sea. Upon escaping and finding his cave occupied, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable for him to react violently. However, Zhang Liusun’s accusation of “repaying kindness with enmity” struck a nerve, and Xu Fu, as a loose immortal with the pride of an ancient being, was left speechless.
Zhang Liusun pressed on, “Even so, I didn’t go all out to destroy you. To boast a little, I am the leader of a major sect, and in the world of Taoism, my sect holds a leading position. If I had mobilized the full force of my sect against you, you would have been dead long ago! Did you think I didn’t know you were recovering in the depths of the sea? But I chose to let you go, out of goodwill. Yet, you remain ungrateful and seek to make a comeback. I must ask, Immortal Xu, what have I done to deserve your relentless pursuit?”
Xu Fu was taken aback by Zhang Liusun’s question. After a long pause, he said hoarsely, “This place is my cave, yet you have taken it over…”
“Old Xu, how dare you say that!” Zhang Liusun shouted. “Open your eyes and look! When did this Jieshi Mountain become your cave? Why don’t you claim Kunlun Mountain as well? Even if you once cultivated here, what happened afterward? You were beaten like a stray dog, sealed beneath the mountain, and trapped for thousands of years. How can you still call this your cave? I went through great efforts to break the sealing array, open this place, and release you. And now you have the audacity to claim it as your own?”
Xu Fu’s face alternated between green and red as Zhang Liusun’s words struck home. He wanted to retaliate but hesitated, fearing the consequences. He wanted to argue but found Zhang Liusun’s reasoning impeccable. After a long, teeth-gritting silence, he finally said resentfully, “Then what do you propose?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, and with a wave of his left hand, a Luohan bed appeared out of thin air. He reclined on it casually and said, “Well, you’re in the wrong here. But I’m magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. I don’t need you to compensate me. We don’t have any life-and-death enmity, so there’s no need for us to fight to the death. Besides, as masters of our caliber, we shouldn’t brawl like street thugs over trivial matters. Let’s settle this with a bet. Regardless of who wins or loses, we’ll let bygones be bygones. How about that?”
Xu Fu sneered, “In the end, it all comes down to a test of strength. But Zhang, what do you propose we bet on? If it’s cunning and deceit, I admit I’m no match for you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head, “If it’s about shamelessness, I concede defeat. As cultivators, we should compete based on our abilities. How about this? I’ll set the challenge. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu’s heart sank. Ever since meeting Zhang Liusun, he had been outmatched in strategy, combat, and even verbal sparring. Now that Zhang Liusun proposed a bet, Xu Fu couldn’t help but suspect another trick.
Seeing Xu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily, “Old Xu! I used to think you were shameless but still somewhat respectable. Now I see you’re just a coward! You’re afraid to fight because you don’t want to damage your precious cauldron. And now you’re afraid to accept a bet. What do you want to do? Crawl back to the bottom of the sea and hide for another thousand years?”
Xu Fu’s face turned purple with rage, and he shouted, “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I’ll take the bet! What’s the challenge?”
Zhang Liusun grinned, “Since it’s a bet, let’s compete with our most prized possessions. How about that?”
Xu Fu frowned, “Our most prized possessions? What do you mean?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You old fool, how can you be so dense? What else do you have? You rely on that stolen bronze statue to intimidate people. I want to compete with that!”
Not only Xu Fu, but even Mei Qing, who was standing nearby, was stunned by Zhang Liusun’s audacity.
The power of Xu Fu’s bronze statue, though not fully displayed earlier, had already left Mei Qing in awe. If it were to unleash its full power, Zhang Liusun would likely be at a disadvantage. Moreover, in the world of cultivation, bets were usually made on techniques or abilities. If Zhang Liusun wanted to compete with the bronze statue, he would have to use a puppet or some other artifact to fight against it.
Mei Qing wondered if Zhang Liusun had some hidden treasure. Otherwise, given his personality, why would he take such a risky bet?
Xu Fu also found it hard to believe. After blinking for a while, he finally said, “Compete with that? Are you serious?”
Zhang Liusun smirked, “Old Xu, when have I ever gone back on my word? Let’s compete with that. Do you dare?”
Xu Fu asked suspiciously, “Then what will you use? Do you plan to face my bronze statue yourself?”
“Bah!” Zhang Liusun said with disdain, “Do I look like someone who doesn’t follow the rules? Old Xu, you’re old enough to know the rules of a bet. Since you’re using the bronze statue, I won’t break the rules and take advantage of you.”
“Then what will you use?” Xu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “Do you have some hidden treasure?”
“Old Xu, it seems you’re not only senile but also blind!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Can’t you see my avatar standing here all this time? I’ll use it to compete with your bronze statue. How about that? Do you dare?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he saw Xu Fu looking at him strangely, he realized that Zhang Liusun’s “avatar” was referring to him. He was furious and wanted to protest.
It was no wonder Mei Qing was angry. Earlier, pretending to be an avatar to scare Xu Fu was one thing, but now Zhang Liusun wanted him to fight the bronze statue? That thing was massive! One slap from it, and he’d be flattened!
Just as Mei Qing was about to speak, he found that he couldn’t make a sound. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth wouldn’t open. He was shocked to discover that he couldn’t move at all, as if some spell had been cast on him, rendering him completely immobile.
Mei Qing cursed Zhang Liusun in his heart, berating himself for being too inexperienced and falling into his trap. Knowing that Zhang Liusun had mastered the Divine Thunder Technique and had used Thunder Sealing Arts, why hadn’t he thought to protect himself with other methods? Relying solely on Thunder Sealing Arts was like leaving himself defenseless. If he had thought of this earlier, he could have protected himself more effectively.
While Mei Qing was filled with regret and anger, Xu Fu was scrutinizing him, deep in thought.
When Xu Fu first saw Mei Qing, he didn’t pay much attention, thinking he was just one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars. But upon closer inspection, he realized that Mei Qing was quite different from an ordinary avatar.
First, he noticed that Mei Qing seemed to have his own soul, which in Xu Fu’s mind made him more than just an avatar—he could be considered a second soul. Such a feat was truly astonishing. Second, he sensed that his sub-cauldron was inside Mei Qing’s body. This fact reinforced his belief that Mei Qing was indeed one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars.
According to Xu Fu’s knowledge, creating an avatar was an extremely difficult task, let alone crafting one that was indistinguishable from a human. However, difficulty didn’t mean impossibility. In fact, the process of a loose immortal reshaping their body could be considered a form of body refinement.
Moreover, Zhang Liusun had always been full of tricks, and even Xu Fu couldn’t claim to be superior to him. Now, it was clear that Mei Qing’s cultivation was far inferior to that of the bronze statue. So why would the cunning Zhang Liusun propose such a bet?
While Mei Qing was consumed by anger and regret, Hsu Fu was scrutinizing him carefully.
Initially, Hsu Fu hadn’t paid much attention, assuming Mei Qing was just another doppelgänger of Zhang Liusun. But upon closer inspection, he found Mei Qing to be significantly different from ordinary doppelgängers.
Upon hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, Xu Fu was momentarily stunned, his expression dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he finally spoke with resentment, “You brat, how are you even more cunning than your ancestor?”
“My ancestor?” Zhang Liusun was also taken aback. “Are you referring to Marquis Zhang Liang?”
“Who else could it be?” Xu Fu said bitterly. “He dared to assassinate the emperor and escaped from the hands of many masters, slippery as an eel. Though that scoundrel was full of wickedness, he still had some integrity. You, on the other hand, though your cultivation is far inferior to mine, can barely be considered a master of your generation. How can you be so shameless and unruly? What kind of behavior is this?”
Zhang Liusun burst into laughter. “Though I share the same surname as that Marquis, I dare not claim to be of the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—” He paused, then continued nonchalantly, “So what if I am? What can you do about it?”
Xu Fu was left speechless, unable to retort.
Zhang Liusun chuckled. “Old Xu, to be honest, you’re quite a figure. But today’s matter can’t be blamed on me, can it? You were imprisoned here, and if it weren’t for my tireless efforts to find this place and summon those heavenly tribulations, how would you have escaped? So, whether intentional or not, I’ve done you a great favor, haven’t I?”
Xu Fu’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered, “Even if that’s true, but—”
Before Xu Fu could finish, Zhang Liusun interrupted, “Since you admit it, what did you do once you escaped? You took advantage of my tribulation to ambush me, causing me to fail and lose my physical body. Is this how an ancient immortal repays kindness? Is this the behavior of an immortal?”
Xu Fu’s face turned red, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
In truth, this place was once Xu Fu’s cave. After a fierce battle with other cultivators, he was sealed beneath the sea. Upon escaping and finding his cave occupied, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable for him to retaliate. However, Zhang Liusun’s accusation of “repaying kindness with malice” struck a chord, and Xu Fu, being a loose immortal with the pride of an ancient figure, was left speechless.
Zhang Liusun, however, wasn’t done. “Even so, I didn’t seek to destroy you. To boast a little, I am the leader of a sect, and in the world of Daoism, my sect holds a prominent position. If I had mobilized my entire sect against you, you would have been long dead and buried! Did you think I didn’t know you were recovering in the depths of the sea? But I, being benevolent, let you go. Yet, you remain ungrateful and seek to make a comeback. I must ask, Immortal Xu, what have I done to deserve your relentless pursuit?”
Xu Fu was momentarily stunned by Zhang Liusun’s question. After a long pause, he finally said hoarsely, “This place is my cave, yet you’ve taken it over—”
“Old Xu, how dare you say that!” Zhang Liusun shouted. “Open your eyes and look around. When did this Jieshi Mountain become your cave? Why don’t you claim Kunlun Mountain as your own too? Even if you once cultivated here, what happened afterward? You were beaten like a stray dog, sealed beneath the mountain, and trapped for thousands of years. How can you still call this your cave? I went through great lengths to break the sealing array, open this place, and release you. And now you have the audacity to claim it as your own?”
Xu Fu’s face alternated between green and red as he listened to Zhang Liusun’s tirade. He wanted to retaliate but hesitated, fearing the consequences. He wanted to argue but found Zhang Liusun’s words irrefutable. After a long moment of grinding his teeth, he finally said resentfully, “So, what do you suggest we do?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, and with a flick of his left hand, a Luohan bed appeared out of thin air. He lounged on it casually and said, “Well, you’re clearly in the wrong here. But I’m magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. I don’t need any compensation from you. We don’t have any life-and-death enmity, so there’s no need for us to fight to the death. Besides, as masters of our caliber, we shouldn’t be brawling like street thugs over trivial matters. Let’s settle this with a bet. Regardless of who wins or loses, we’ll consider the matter closed. What do you say?”
Xu Fu sneered, “In the end, it always comes down to a test of strength. But Zhang, what do you propose we bet on? If it’s a contest of cunning and deceit, I’m no match for you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “If it’s about being shameless and underhanded, I’ll admit defeat. As cultivators, we should compete based on our abilities. How about this? I’ll set the challenge. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu’s heart sank as he considered Zhang Liusun’s proposal. Ever since he met this young man, whether it was in strategy, combat, or verbal sparring, he had never gained the upper hand. Now, with Zhang Liusun suddenly proposing a bet, Xu Fu couldn’t help but suspect some hidden trick.
Seeing Xu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily. “Old Xu! I used to think you were shameless but still somewhat of a figure. I didn’t expect you to be such a coward! When it comes to fighting, you’re afraid of damaging your precious cauldron and hold back. When I propose a bet, you’re too scared to accept. What do you want to do? Maybe you should just crawl back to the bottom of the sea and hide for another thousand years!”
Xu Fu’s face turned purple with rage. “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I’ll take the bet! What’s the challenge?”
Zhang Liusun grinned. “Since it’s a bet, let’s compete with our most prized possessions. How about that?”
Xu Fu frowned. “Our most prized possessions? What do you mean?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You old fool, how can you be so dense? What else do you have but that stolen bronze statue you use to intimidate people? I’m challenging you to a contest with that!”
Not only Xu Fu, but even Mei Qing, who was standing nearby, was stunned by Zhang Liusun’s audacious proposal.
The power of Xu Fu’s bronze statue, though not fully displayed earlier, had already left Mei Qing deeply impressed. If it were to unleash its full power, Zhang Liusun would likely be at a disadvantage. Moreover, in the world of cultivation, such bets typically involved competing with one’s own crafted artifacts or techniques. If Zhang Liusun intended to challenge the bronze statue, he would need to use a comparable artifact of his own.
Mei Qing couldn’t help but wonder if Zhang Liusun had some hidden treasure up his sleeve. Otherwise, given his cautious nature, why would he engage in such a risky bet?
Xu Fu also found it hard to believe. After blinking for a while, he finally said, “You’re serious about this?”
Zhang Liusun smirked. “Old Xu, when have I ever gone back on my word? So, do you dare to accept the challenge?”
Xu Fu asked suspiciously, “Then what will you use to compete? Are you planning to face my bronze statue yourself?”
“Bah!” Zhang Liusun said with disdain. “Do I look like someone who would break the rules? Old Xu, you’re old enough to know the rules of a bet. Since you’re using your bronze statue, I won’t take advantage of you by not following the rules, even though I could easily defeat that clumsy lump of metal.”
“Then what will you use?” Xu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “Do you have some hidden treasure?”
“Old Xu, it seems you’re not only senile but also blind!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Can’t you see my avatar standing here all this time? I’ll use it to compete with your bronze statue. How about it? Do you dare?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he saw Xu Fu looking at him with a strange expression, he realized that Zhang Liusun’s “avatar” was referring to him. Instantly, he was furious and wanted to protest.
It was no wonder Mei Qing was angry. Earlier, pretending to be an avatar to intimidate Xu Fu was one thing, but now Zhang Liusun wanted him to face the bronze statue in combat? That statue was massive! If he went up against it, wouldn’t he be flattened in an instant?
Just as Mei Qing was about to speak, he found that he couldn’t make a sound. No matter how hard he tried, his mouth wouldn’t open. This was a shock, and soon he realized he couldn’t move either. It seemed that some spell had been cast on him, rendering him completely immobile.
Mei Qing’s hatred for Zhang Liusun reached its peak. He cursed himself for being too inexperienced and falling into this trap. Knowing that Zhang Liusun had mastered the Divine Thunder Technique and had used the Thunder Restriction Spell, why hadn’t he considered that Zhang Liusun’s abilities far surpassed his own? He had relied on the Thunder Restriction Spell for protection, but it was as if he had left himself completely defenseless. If he had thought of this earlier and used other protective measures, he would have been much safer.
While Mei Qing was filled with regret and anger, Xu Fu was scrutinizing him, deep in thought.
When Xu Fu first saw Mei Qing, he didn’t pay much attention, assuming he was just one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars. But upon closer inspection, he realized that Mei Qing was quite different from an ordinary avatar.
First, he noticed that Mei Qing seemed to possess his own primordial spirit, which in Xu Fu’s view made him more than just an avatar—he could be considered a second primordial spirit. Such a feat was truly astonishing. Second, he sensed that his own sub-cauldron was within Mei Qing’s body. This only reinforced his belief that Mei Qing was indeed one of Zhang Liusun’s avatars.
According to Xu Fu’s knowledge, crafting an avatar was an extremely difficult task, let alone creating one that was indistinguishable from a human. However, difficulty didn’t mean impossibility. In fact, the process of a loose immortal’s physical reconstruction could be seen as a form of body refinement.
Moreover, Zhang Liusun had always been full of surprises, and even Xu Fu couldn’t claim to be superior to him. Now, it was clear that Mei Qing’s avatar was far inferior to Xu Fu’s bronze statue in terms of power. Given this, why would the cunning Zhang Liusun propose such a bet?
Upon hearing Zhang Liusun’s words, Xu Fu was indeed stunned for a moment, his expression dark and uncertain. After a long pause, he finally said with resentment, “You brat, how are you even more cunning than your ancestor?”
“My ancestor?” Zhang Liusun was momentarily surprised. “Are you referring to Marquis Zhang Liang?”
“Who else could it be?” Xu Fu said bitterly. “He dared to assassinate the emperor and escaped from the hands of many masters, slippery as an eel. Though that scoundrel was full of schemes, he at least had some integrity. You, on the other hand, though your cultivation is far inferior to mine, can barely be considered a master of your generation. How can you be so shameless and unruly? What kind of behavior is this?”
Zhang Liusun burst into laughter. “Though I share the same surname as that Marquis, I dare not claim to be of the same lineage. As for being shameless and unruly—” He paused, then said nonchalantly, “So what if I am? What can you do about it?”
Xu Fu was left speechless, unable to retort.
Zhang Liusun continued with a smile, “Old Xu, to be fair, you are indeed a figure to be reckoned with. But today’s matter can hardly be blamed on me, can it? You were imprisoned here, and if it weren’t for my tireless efforts to find this place and summon the heavenly tribulation lightning, how would you have escaped? So, whether intentional or not, I’ve at least done you a great favor, haven’t I?”
Xu Fu’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered, “Even if that’s true, but—”
Before Xu Fu could finish, Zhang Liusun cut him off. “Since you admit it, what did you do once you were free? You took advantage of my tribulation to ambush me, causing me to fail and lose my physical body. Is this how an ancient immortal repays kindness? Is this the behavior of a sage?”
Xu Fu’s face turned crimson, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
In truth, this place was once Xu Fu’s cave abode. After a great battle with other cultivators, he was sealed beneath the ocean. Upon escaping, he found his cave occupied and lashed out, which wasn’t entirely unreasonable. However, Zhang Liusun had cleverly framed the situation as “repaying kindness with malice,” and Xu Fu, being an ancient immortal with a reputation to uphold, was left speechless.
Zhang Liusun pressed on, “Even so, I didn’t seek to destroy you completely. To boast a little, I am the leader of a major sect, and my school holds a prominent position in the Daoist world. If I had mobilized the full force of my sect against you, you would have been annihilated long ago! Did you think I didn’t know you were recovering at the bottom of the sea? But I chose to let you go, out of goodwill. Yet, you remain ungrateful and seek to make a comeback. I must ask, Old Xu, what have I done to deserve your relentless hostility?”
Xu Fu was taken aback by Zhang Liusun’s question. After a long pause, he said hoarsely, “This place is my cave abode, and you have taken it over—”
“Old Xu, how dare you say that!” Zhang Liusun shouted. “Open your eyes and look around. When did this sacred mountain become your cave? Why not claim Kunlun as your home too? Even if you once cultivated here, what happened afterward? You were defeated like a stray dog, sealed beneath the mountain for thousands of years. How can you still call this your cave? I broke the sealing array, opened this place, and released you, and now you have the audacity to fight me for it?”
Xu Fu’s face alternated between green and red as Zhang Liusun’s words struck home. He wanted to retaliate but hesitated, fearing the consequences. He wanted to argue but found Zhang Liusun’s reasoning flawless. After grinding his teeth in frustration, he finally said, “Then what do you propose?”
Zhang Liusun stretched lazily, and with a wave of his hand, a Luohan bed appeared on the ground. He reclined on it casually and said, “Well, you’re clearly in the wrong here. But I’m magnanimous and won’t hold it against you. I won’t demand compensation either. We don’t have any life-or-death enmity, so there’s no need for us to fight to the death. Besides, as masters of our caliber, we shouldn’t brawl like street thugs over trivial matters. Let’s settle this with a wager. Regardless of who wins, we’ll let bygones be bygones. What do you say?”
Xu Fu sneered, “In the end, it always comes down to a test of strength. But Zhang, what do you propose to wager? If it’s a contest of cunning and deceit, I’m no match for you.”
Zhang Liusun shook his head. “If it’s about shamelessness, I’ll admit defeat. As cultivators, we should compete based on our abilities. How about this? I’ll set the challenge. Do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu’s heart wavered. Ever since meeting Zhang Liusun, he had been outmaneuvered in every aspect—strategy, combat, and even conversation. Now, with Zhang proposing a wager, Xu Fu couldn’t help but suspect some hidden scheme.
Seeing Xu Fu’s hesitation, Zhang Liusun laughed heartily. “Old Xu! I once thought you were a despicable but formidable figure. But now I see you’re just a coward! You’re afraid to fight, fearing you’ll damage your precious cauldron. And now you’re too scared to accept a wager. What do you want to do? Maybe you should just crawl back to the bottom of the sea and hide for another thousand years!”
Xu Fu’s face turned purple with rage. He shouted, “Zhang, don’t push me too far! Fine, I’ll take the wager! What’s the challenge?”
Zhang Liusun grinned. “Since it’s a wager, let’s compete with our most prized possessions. What do you think?”
Xu Fu frowned. “Our most prized possessions? What do you mean?”
Zhang Liusun said, “You old fool, how can you be so dense? What’s your greatest asset? That stolen bronze statue you use to intimidate people! I’ll compete against that!”
Both Xu Fu and Mei Qing were stunned by Zhang Liusun’s audacity. The power of Xu Fu’s bronze statue, though not fully displayed earlier, had already left Mei Qing in awe. If it were unleashed in full force, Zhang Liusun would likely be at a disadvantage. Moreover, in the cultivation world, wagers typically involved techniques or crafted artifacts, not direct combat with one’s own body.
Mei Qing wondered if Zhang Liusun had some hidden treasure or artifact that could match the bronze statue. Otherwise, why would he propose such a risky challenge?
Xu Fu was equally skeptical. After a long pause, he said, “You’re serious about this?”
Zhang Liusun smirked. “Old Xu, when have I ever gone back on my word? So, do you dare to accept?”
Xu Fu asked, “Then what will you use to compete? Surely you don’t plan to face my bronze statue yourself?”
“Of course not!” Zhang Liusun said with mock indignation. “Do I look like someone who disregards the rules? Old Xu, you’re old enough to know the etiquette of wagers. Since you’re using your bronze statue, I’ll use my own creation. I won’t take advantage of you.”
Xu Fu eyed Zhang Liusun suspiciously. “What do you have that can match my bronze statue?”
“Old Xu, you’re not just senile, you’re blind!” Zhang Liusun mocked. “Can’t you see my avatar standing here? I’ll use it to compete against your bronze statue. So, do you dare?”
Mei Qing was momentarily confused, but when he noticed Xu Fu looking at him strangely, he realized Zhang Liusun was referring to him as the “avatar.” Enraged, he tried to protest but found himself unable to speak or move. He had been completely immobilized, likely through some hidden technique.
Furious, Mei Qing cursed himself for being too naive. Knowing Zhang Liusun’s mastery of the Divine Thunder Arts and his use of thunder seals, he should have been more cautious. His own thunder seals were no match for Zhang Liusun’s superior skills.
Meanwhile, Xu Fu scrutinized Mei Qing, deep in thought. Initially, he had dismissed Mei Qing as a mere avatar, but upon closer inspection, he realized Mei Qing was far more than that. Mei Qing seemed to possess an independent spirit, almost like a second soul—a feat that was both rare and impressive. Moreover, Xu Fu sensed that his sub-cauldron was within Mei Qing’s body, further convincing him that Mei Qing was indeed Zhang Liusun’s avatar.
Creating an avatar was no small feat, and crafting one that was indistinguishable from a human was even more challenging. However, Xu Fu knew that such things were not impossible, especially for a figure like Zhang Liusun, who had always been full of surprises.
Given that Mei Qing’s cultivation was clearly inferior to the bronze statue, Xu Fu couldn’t help but wonder why Zhang Liusun was so confident in proposing this wager. What was his game?
Moreover, Zhang Liusun had always been full of surprises, and even Hsu Fu couldn’t claim superiority over him. Now, judging from the situation, Mei Qing’s cultivation level was clearly far below that of his bronze figure. If that was the case, why would the cunning Zhang Liusun insist on this contest?
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