Chapter 433: The Three-Way Wager (Part 1)
On the second day, Dragon Emperor Xiu Ya once again paid a visit.
Similarly, Jiu Mie and Candle Dragon swiftly vanished, leaving only Lu Heng and Dragon Emperor in the courtyard.
This time, Dragon Emperor brought forth a treasured collection of tea, inviting Lu Heng to savor its essence.
While savoring the tea, the two engaged in delightful conversation, discussing various topics and exchanging profound ideas. One could describe it as a joyous gathering where both host and guest reveled in pure bliss.
Dragon Emperor, as always, was gentle in her words, speaking softly with a captivating smile, while Lu Heng greeted her with a friendly smile and a warm demeanor.
Neither of them mentioned the incident of the three heavenly thunderbolts from yesterday, as if Lu Heng was unaware of the news about the emergence of a supreme divine artifact on that island.
As for the news about that divine artifact being Dragon Amber, it is logical to assume that even the numerous dragon creatures on the island are unaware, let alone someone like Lu Heng, who is an outsider.
While Dragon Emperor doesn't bring up the events of yesterday, Lu Heng naturally avoids spoiling the mood as well.
However, during their leisurely tea-drinking and engaging conversation, a hint of caution remained.
However, it wasn't until Dragon Emperor departed that Lu Heng's slight worry in his heart didn't materialize, which relieved him.
It appears that Dragon Emperor is not an unintelligent individual.
However, regarding this matter, Candle Dragon and Jiu Mie hold different opinions.
"Have you ever seen a hunter who would directly engage in hand-to-hand combat with their prey? They all trail from afar, setting traps, waiting for the prey to relax their vigilance and expose their weaknesses before launching a sudden attack, delivering a fatal blow," Jiu Mie stated in this manner.
Candle Dragon also nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, Dragon Emperor just refined the intoxicating Dragon Amber yesterday, and today it's being used against you? Even if Dragon Emperor were desperate, she wouldn't act so foolishly. After all, the two of us are still here."
Jiu Mie said, "Indeed, with the two of us here, we are her greatest obstacle. If she doesn't find a way to distract us, are we really going to stand by and watch our friend succumb to the hands of others?"
Candle Dragon said, "My friend, you harbor malicious speculations about us, but Dragon Emperor knows that the two of us will never abandon you, ah."
Jiu Mie said, "Therefore, if my guess is correct, then the Dragon Emperor will definitely find an excuse, find a reason to invite Friend Lu Heng for a private journey. For example, exploring a hidden realm? Or claiming to have discovered a potential treasure trove of the heavens and earth, inviting Friend Lu Heng to accompany her in order to create an opportunity for you to be alone together."
Jiu Mie said, "Then, when the two of you are alone, free from external disturbances, Dragon Emperor will use the Dragon Amber she crafted on you. In this way, Friend Lu Heng will be isolated and entranced by the Dragon Amber, completely falling under the control of Dragon Emperor."
Candle Dragon said, "Therefore, the key point from now on is that Friend Lu Heng must not be alone with Dragon Emperor. If they are alone together, it will surely lead to trouble… At that time, don't blame us for not warning you in advance."
With perfect coordination, Candle Dragon and Jiu Mie exchanged words that made Lu Heng roll his eyes in response.
Although the two mischievous friends made valid points, Lu Heng mustn't let his spirit falter.
He stubbornly retorted, "I refuse to believe that Dragon Emperor went to great lengths to concoct this Dragon Amber solely for such a disgraceful purpose. This incense is a divine item, and it must have taken a considerable amount of time to refine. Surely, it has its own unique applications and cannot be used on me."
Candle Dragon chuckled and said, "In that case, how about we make a wager, my dear friend? Let's bet on whether Dragon Emperor indeed used this Dragon Amber on you."
Jiu Mie also chuckled and said, "Add the old ascetic cultivator to the mix, and let the old ascetic cultivator also join the bet… Are you up for it, my friend? I bet that this Dragon Amber will be used on you, Friend Lu Heng!"
As Candle Dragon and Jiu Mie both looked on, Lu Heng smiled and said, "What shall be the wager? Please enlighten me."
Candle Dragon laughed heartily and said, "Certainly, it must be a wager that will truly captivate your interest."
After speaking, Candle Dragon gracefully waved his sleeve, causing a chilly glimmer to soar out from within. The frigid sword intent transformed into an ancient battle sword within the courtyard.
It actually a… Heaven's Divination Sword?!
In the astonished gaze of Lu Heng, Candle Dragon chuckled and said, "This sword has been sealed in my treasury for hundreds of thousands of years, an acquisition of mine by sheer chance."
"Although it is a top-tier divine sword, without the Sword Formation, I am utterly unable to unleash its full sword prowess, hence it was abandoned within the treasury. If it weren't for hearing the story from you in the Youxiong Country, I would have almost forgotten that such a sword existed in my treasury."
"Now, I am using this sword as a wager and propose a bet with you. If you emerge victorious, this Heaven's Divination Sword shall belong to you… What do you think? Isn't this wager quite sincere?"
The words of Candle Dragon left Lu Heng quite speechless.
He gazed at the Heaven's Divination Sword before him, filled with an indescribable sense of excitement.
Having the Sword Formation, as well as four Heaven's Divination Swords, he was already able to unleash a considerable amount of power from the Sword Formation.
If he could have one more battle sword, with five swords combined, the power of the Sword Formation will be even greater.
Therefore, without any hesitation, Lu Heng nodded and said, "Alright! Let's bet then. Friend Jiu Mie, since Friend Candle Dragon is wagering with the Heaven's Divination Sword, what will you use as your wager?"
Lu Heng cast his gaze upon Jiu Mie.
The old ascetic cultivator chuckled and rummaged through a tattered cloth bag for quite a while, saying, "Though I may not possess wealth as extravagant as Friend Candle Dragon, who can produce such a divine item, I do have some hidden treasures in my stash."
Saying so, the old ascetic cultivator retrieved a charred branch from the top, remarking, "This item was obtained by me by chance, found in a forgotten ancient battlefield. Although its appearance is unremarkable, it harbors unfathomable power, much like the origin of the Green State Cauldron."
"However, like the Green State Cauldron, although I can sense the supreme god power within the withered branch, I am unable to wield it. Now, how about using it as a wager? This item should be no less worthy than Friend Candle Dragon's Heaven's Divination Sword."
Jiu Mie grinned as he handed the withered branch to Lu Heng. Lu Heng took it and weighed it for a moment before passing it to Candle Dragon, who was standing nearby, saying, "Friend, are you familiar with this item?"
Lu Heng noticed that Candle Dragon appeared somewhat surprised as he took out this withered branch.
Candle Dragon took the withered branch handed to him by Lu Heng but remained silent. Instead, he focused his concentration and sensed it for a while before returning the branch to Jiu Mie, saying, "Friend, it would be best not to use this item as a wager. It is too precious. Unless Friend Lu Heng presents his Heavenly Thunder Sword as a bet, it would not be on par with this item."
The words of Candle Dragon left both Jiu Mie and Lu Heng slightly astonished, causing them to once again gaze at the withered branch.
Jiu Mie, puzzled, said, "Oh? This item is so formidable? Could it be that the withered branch I found is also a top-tier divine object, not inferior to the divine cauldron?"
In the gaze of Jiu Mie and Lu Heng, Candle Dragon let out a bitter smile and said, "If we were to make a comparison, aside from the unique capacity of the cauldrons to bear the lives in the Celestial Desolation Realm, in terms of divine power alone, this item may be even stronger than the fusion of the nine cauldrons…"
"Hmm?" Lu Heng looked at the withered branch in Jiu Mie's hand with astonishment on his face.
Is this withered branch so formidable?
