Senior Fang Yuan, I want to duel you!
Fang Yuan quietly leaves the stage under everyone’s gaze. An Han is shocked that Fang Yuan managed two tasks at once, and wonders if he also cultivates soul or wisdom path. A disciple’s reminder brings him back to his senses; he is embarrassed to realize he had stood up, damaging his reputation. Flying Frost Sect’s leader looks to him, expecting refinement path itself to restore the sect’s reputation, and An Han complies. ch. 832
Seeing their first elder take action, Flying Frost Sect’s disciples applaud, no longer listless. Even outsiders cast hopeful looks at the famous An Han. Among the crowd, an old Gu Master sighs that An Han’s situation looks poor, and his disciple asks why. The old master explains that Fang Yuan is extremely terrifying: his method was far harder than outsiders can appreciate, and one he himself could match only at his peak. ch. 832
An Han’s own extraordinary skill makes him understand this even better. His unsettled look on standing already shows he knows he cannot win. Even trying harder, An Han cannot take first place from Fang Yuan without finishing in far less time. The young Gu Master praises his master’s insight, and pleased, the old master calls him talented, his refinement attainment certain to bring success this round. ch. 832
The young Gu Master credits his master, who saved him from starving to death. His own plan to win first place is moot now, so he declares he will seize the green shine Gu for his master instead. Alarmed, the old master tries to stop him, but it is already too late. The young Gu Master shouts across the crowd, asking to duel Senior Fang Yuan. His words cause a huge commotion, and onlookers identify him as the refinement path genius who placed second at Five Virtues Sect. ch. 832
The old master, pale, can do nothing, regretting that he taught his disciple refinement path skill but neglected the dangers of worldly affairs. The young Gu Master walks up to Fang Yuan with his head held high. An Han, who had just stepped onto the stage, loses all his resolve, and stands humiliated, furious. ch. 832
Fang Yuan turns and asks who wants to duel him. Fang Yuan is competing in the Refinement Path Convention’s large-scale contest, whose earlier rounds cut the entrants down to a handful, and the convention also recognizes several other formats, duels among them. ch. 832
The young Gu Master repeats his challenge. Interested by the youth’s spirit, Fang Yuan says he will only accept if the stakes are worth his while. The young Gu Master offers a rank five Gu recipe, wagering it against the rank four green shine Gu that Fang Yuan already won. Fang Yuan notes that green shine Gu is rare enough to match an ordinary rank five Gu in value, then asks whether the youth even knows his true cultivation path. ch. 832
Assuming Fang Yuan practices refinement path, the youth is stunned by the question. Fang Yuan reveals his main path is not refinement path at all, and notes the youth wagers only one recipe against a rare rank four Gu, when a failed rank five refinement can injure even his own level. He asks whether the youth thinks him foolish enough to accept such lopsided terms. ch. 832
Unable to answer, the young Gu Master stands frozen on the spot. His master hurries over and bows deeply to Fang Yuan, withdrawing the challenge on his disciple’s behalf. Spectators jeer at losing the anticipated show. A nosy bystander names the two combatants, Fang Yuan and Zheng Shan Chuan, and proposes that the crowd pool their own resources to fund the wager instead. The old master pleads that there is no need, blaming his disciple’s rashness and thanking everyone to defuse the situation. An Han’s eyes flash ominously as he quietly sends out instructions, and several in the crowd offer resources, urging the duel ahead after all. ch. 832
