Chapter 17 #6
Holding the woman’s gaze with his own, Alex slowly flashed a silver coin on the tabletop. Then one gold coin after another. And finally, a spirit pearl as the tension in the room grew so thick that Ya Ling choked back a whimper.
“I think we’re suffering from a serious miscommunication issue.
You’re assuming that because I don’t have a jewel on my brow, that not only am I unworthy of daring the rift, I’m not even worth a meal at your fancy cafeteria, let alone basic courtesy or any amount of your time.
So let’s make a wager, you and I, honored cultivator Sun La.
One silver and seven gold coins says I’m the equal of any Bronze or Silver in this cafeteria, including yourself.
And I’ll prove it here, or in whatever excuse you have for a dueling arena. ”
She stared at him for long moments. “You’re either a madman or a fool!”
Alex flashed his brightest grin. “Yes to both. But one thing I’m not is someone too weak to dare the rifts.
So, before you throw away the delving party that can bring you and your city the Water core you so clearly need, why don’t you at least test whether I can actually be of use to this city and your school? ”
Alex could feel the tension ratchet up another notch, completely ignoring Nili’s furious handsign making it abundantly clear what she thought of his latest stunt.
For long seconds, Sun La glared at Alex, no matter that he didn’t flinch in the least from her killing gaze. Then her gentle olive features paled with tension.
“You will leave, and you will do so now,” she spat out at last.
Alex cocked his head. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you over the rank cowardice in your voice. Could you please repeat that?”
This earned a surprised chuckle and snort as well as several outraged shouts for Alex to vacate before they threw him out on his ass from the cultivators now looking on.
“Leave now, or I swear I’ll wash that arrogant smirk off your face in blood!” Sun La screamed.
“Alex!” Nili hissed.
“Fuck off, Nili.”
Alex’s fingers flashed as he kept his eyes on the trembling cultivator before him, who radiated such fury and fear.
Alex could only imagine how much she regretted things escalating to this point, suddenly so anxious, when seconds ago she had been utterly dismissive.
Not that Alex cared. Not when he had seen her secret.
Not when the taste of blood was so enticingly in the air.
Linnea gave a sad sigh, her earlier cheer fading. “So, this is going to be one of those tales,” she said as the entire crowd erupted in either outraged roars for Alex to leave, threats upon their group, or dark laughter at the cowardice of those who dared to lord it over them all.
Alex cracked the table with his knuckle, the retort causing all the plates to jump, spattering a cursing Ya Ling with congee and momentarily silencing the crowd.
“Challenge accepted! If the honorable Sun La manages to wipe off my arrogant smirk with my own blood or forces me to yield, she’s up one silver and seven gold coins!
If I, however, manage to get the best of her, forcing her to submit or knocking her senseless, then my crew and I can delve freely and without reservations of any sort.
So, who will second the validity of this wager?
” Alex said with his best bonhomie grin for the crowd.
He was pleased to note that even if half the cultivators were scowling like they’d like nothing better than to pound Alex’s face in, surprisingly cheerful voices did pepper the crowd.
“I second this match!”
“I third this match! Let’s see if our ‘Spring Princess’ is actually worthy of her new title!”
“These intruders dare to mock our academy! I say we strip them bare and throw them out on the street for the royal guards to take care of!”
“I fourth this match! If the Ruidian boy can actually take on Sun La, why the hell wouldn’t we let him in the rifts?”
“Wait, wasn’t there a spirit pearl on the table? How the hell did a Ruidian get a spirit pearl!?”
Alex winked, choosing to address the final comment. “Who can say? Maybe I found it in the desert sands. Maybe I challenged another overconfident Bronze who didn’t believe I could cultivate or delve. Or maybe it was my share of profits after a massive haul of beast cores.”
Sun La glared at Alex for long moments, before her look of furious dismay shifted into a cold, satisfied smile. “I will accept the terms of your duel, foolish boy. But you’re including that spirit pearl when I crush you.”
“Of course.”
Her eyes twinkled with dark satisfaction, her smirk telling a tale quite different from the one starring Alex as the master manipulator.
“You see how easy it is to goad the headstrong and foolish? He could have left gracefully, but he had to mouth off to his betters. So now he will leave a pauper, befitting of someone who thought he could take advantage of our school!”
Alex smirked. “Sure, that’s one way of looking at it. So, shall we?”
Sun La coldly dipped her head as the low murmur of excited cultivators placing bets filled the chamber. “Come, boy. We head to the sands. Which will be the last corner of this academy you see before we throw you out, penniless and broken, like the trash you are.”