Chapter 1170: Gambling Duel

"You mean you want me to compensate you for your losses?"

Qin Sang wasn't surprised by this.

Cultivators at this level, standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, generally wouldn't fight to the death because few could guarantee the elimination of an opponent.

A Nascent Soul cultivator resorting to ruthless revenge is a headache for anyone.

"Since you two came prepared, you must have already decided on the terms. Feel free to state them clearly."

Qin Sang also intended to resolve their grievances.

However, while he possessed many treasures comparable to the Azure Luan Slate, they were all of great importance to him and he couldn't simply hand them over.

It was indeed a difficult situation.

Compensation with spirit stones would be ideal, but he knew without thinking that it was impossible.

"If you can produce an ancient demon treasure of comparable value, this king will consider this grudge settled!"

Demon King Qianji said coldly.

"I wonder how Fellow Daoist Qianji plans to calculate the value of the Azure Luan Slate?"

Qin Sang retorted, "The slate holds immense significance for the Azure Luan descendants, but in your hands, it's merely a keepsake sealed away in a treasure vault. Other ancient treasures rarely possess such unique properties."

Demon King Qianji glared, about to speak, but was stopped by the Snake King.

"Since Fellow Daoist Mingyue also wishes to talk, there's no need for further pretense. Qianji mentioned that Fellow Daoist Mingyue subdued a four-transformation spirit insect in front of him. To be honest, Qianji and I have lived for so many years and have only seen such creatures in ancient texts. This is the first time we've witnessed a spirit insect that has cultivated to transcend tribulations..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang's expression immediately changed, and he sneered repeatedly.

"So that's it, you two are playing this game! Trading a slate for a rare four-transformation spirit insect, what a good deal!"

The Snake King's expression remained unchanged.

Demon King Qianji retorted furiously, "Do you truly believe you're the only one in the world who can use this treasure? Although King Yu possesses the cloud eagle bloodline, the King Yu Palace has countless secret arts passed down through generations, and there might be a way to decipher the slate's secrets. If I hand the Azure Luan Slate to King Yu, the return I receive will definitely be no less than any other treasure! That spirit insect nested right next to this king's cave dwelling; it should have been mine!"

Qin Sang laughed in spite of himself, "By your logic, if I were to open a cave dwelling in the Ziwei Palace, would all the treasures inside automatically belong to me? That day, I used an illusion to block your vision, so you didn't see clearly. That spirit insect was originally raised by me, meticulously cultivated for hundreds of years, costing countless efforts. It just so happened that day, it suddenly awakened from its cocoon and triggered a lightning tribulation, which is why it underwent its tribulation next to your cave dwelling."

The two demon kings exchanged glances, half-believing, half-doubting.

The Snake King said, "I've always said that wild spirit insects, unless in remote desolate areas, have a very small chance of safely cultivating to the fourth transformation. So, it already had an owner. Fellow Daoist, you possess remarkable skill to cultivate a spirit insect to such a realm. Fellow Daoist Zhu certainly chose the right successor! It's natural for you not to want to hand over the spirit insect. However, putting ourselves in Qianji's shoes, would he be willing to give away a supreme treasure related to an ancient great demon to someone else?"

After a pause, the Snake King stated solemnly, "In the cultivation world, strength is paramount. Since that's the case, in my opinion, you two should settle this yourselves, using your respective abilities! You can have a wagered fight, and the loser must accept the outcome. If Fellow Daoist Mingyue wins, the matter of the stolen treasure will be forgotten. If Qianji wins, Fellow Daoist will hand over the spirit insect. It will be a friendly match, not to injure the other party. I won't interfere; I'll merely serve as a witness. If Fellow Daoist doesn't trust me, Ten Thousand Demons City is only a short distance away; you could invite King Yu..."

"A wagered fight?"

Qin Sang glanced at Demon King Qianji, deep in thought.

It seemed this was their true intention.

Settling conflicts by pitting individual strengths against each other was not uncommon in the cultivation world.

The Snake King stated he would not interfere.

Facing Demon King Qianji alone, Qin Sang was quite confident in his treasures and divine abilities.

Since forming his Nascent Soul, he had always wanted to find someone to spar with, to see what level his strength was at and how much it differed from his previous estimations. He just hadn't encountered a suitable opponent.

At the Seven Kills Hall, although he had witnessed several Nascent Soul cultivators battling ancient demons, observing was one thing; without experiencing it firsthand, one couldn't truly grasp the inherent dangers.

However, Qin Sang knew very well that since the Snake King and Demon King Qianji dared to propose a wagered fight, they must have made thorough preparations, and he could not afford to be careless.

After consideration, Qin Sang refused again, "A wagered fight is acceptable, but the condition must be changed. The spirit insect holds extraordinary significance to me and is closely related to my own cultivation; it absolutely cannot be given away."

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly was his Natal Spirit Insect, with astonishing potential, and no risks could be taken.

Demon King Qianji exploded in anger, "You forbid this and you forbid that! I see you don't want to solve the problem at all!"

The Snake King's expression also darkened. "Your attitude, Fellow Daoist, truly doesn't suggest a desire to resolve grievances. A spirit insect being tied to one's cultivation is unheard of! We'll provisionally believe your excuse and take another step back. If Qianji wins, Fellow Daoist will temporarily lend us the spirit insect, and it will be returned to its owner after we emerge from the Ziwei Palace."

Demon King Qianji and the Snake King insisted on the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, which Qin Sang found quite troublesome.

Why were they so persistent? Were they planning to use the four-transformation spirit insect for something in the Ziwei Palace?

Qin Sang's heart stirred.

If that were the case, and something unexpected happened, there would still be room for further negotiation.

Ultimately, Qin Sang reluctantly agreed.

"Lending the spirit insect to you two means I bear the risk of it being injured or even perishing. Fellow Daoists, don't mention compensation; in my eyes, no treasure can compare to it..."

The Snake King saw through Qin Sang's intention at a glance. "Fellow Daoist, you wish to add some conditions, don't you?"

As for bargaining, Qin Sang felt no embarrassment. "I wonder what the Snake King's relationship with the Spirit Control Sect is like? I would like to examine the ancient texts treasured by the Spirit Control Sect."

He wasn't entirely clear on the relationship between the Spirit Control Sect and the demon race, but the Snake King surely knew.

"Although the Spirit Control Sect's first sect master was indeed supported by our demon race, they are, after all, a different species. Over time, their attitude has become somewhat ambiguous, and it would likely require a handwritten decree from King Yu. However, if Fellow Daoist only wishes to view the sections pertaining to spirit insects, it shouldn't be difficult."

The Snake King readily agreed.

Qin Sang felt a pang of shame, reflecting that perhaps his mindset hadn't fully adjusted since recently forming his Nascent Soul. Now standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, opportunities would be plentiful, and some matters didn't require worrying about immediate gains or losses.

"Very well, I will spar with Fellow Daoist Qianji. Snake King, please set the rules."

Qin Sang waved for the fat chicken and white crane to retreat.

The Snake King also signaled for his demon soldiers to step aside.

"You cannot use Lightning Escape!"

Demon King Qianji immediately made a demand.

He vividly remembered Qin Sang's escape technique and had no good way to restrict him.

Qin Sang sneered, "Why don't you just ask me to tie my own hands and feet!"

The Snake King mediated, "Qianji has mentioned Fellow Daoist Mingyue's superb escape technique many times and secretly admires you greatly. If Fellow Daoist were to constantly use escape techniques to circle around, you could remain invincible, making a fight unnecessary. However, escape technique is Fellow Daoist's own skill, and forbidding its use is unreasonable. Perhaps we could limit the scope of the battlefield..." (To be continued)