Conflicts of interest struck at the core of the human heart.

After Yang Jing received the slot for the Nine Marvelous Creation Qi, recommended by the Sect Leader, he knew he would deeply offend the True Disciples of the Master-Disciple Faction who had been contenders for the opportunity.

For a Cultivator of the Tai Shi Five Elements True Talisman Scripture, the Nine Marvelous Creation Qi was equivalent to a Nascent Soul Pill.

Back when they were pacifying the Demon Realm, those three Yu Hou had schemed endlessly just to drive Yang Jing away and seize control, all for a single Golden Core Pill. Now, what was at stake was a wisp of Nine Marvelous Creation Qi.

If one could successfully achieve Nascent Soul Formation, not only would their lifespan greatly increase, but they would also directly grasp the reins of power in the Western Continent and stand at its pinnacle.

If given such an opportunity, any Cultivator would hold onto it tightly.

As the vested beneficiary, Yang Jing knew these True Disciples were constantly making small moves behind his back, but as long as they didn’t touch his core interests, he could turn a blind eye.

Of course, he wasn’t about to waste any effort putting on a pleasant face for these True Disciples either.

"Junior Brother Yang, I’ve long heard tales of the Blood Spirit Scripture you created. Today, I finally get to see it in action."

Zhou Boyi said with a refined air.

"Care for a wager on the outcome of this duel?"

Yang Jing asked bluntly.

Zhou Boyi was taken aback, not expecting Yang Jing to be so direct.

"What are the stakes you propose, Junior Brother Yang?"

"How about Jinhua Pills? Three of them."

Yang Jing took out a Pill Bottle as he spoke, presenting it to Zhou Boyi. These pills were extraordinarily valuable to Golden Core Cultivators, but to him, who could increase his Magical Power by refining Celestial Demons, they were practically disposable.

Of the Jinhua Pills that Bai Shui True Monarch had gifted him, these three were all he had left. He’d had the rest sent to Zuoqiu Feng, who was under confinement in her clan’s lands.

He had kept these last three on hand as a convenient explanation for the explosive growth in his Magical Power.

Zhou Boyi stiffened, struggling to maintain his graceful demeanor. He hadn’t expected Yang Jing to be so confident as to bet so high right away.

Even with his status as a True Disciple, Jinhua Pills were not easily obtainable. The Five Elements True Spirit Sect had many Golden Core Cultivators, but each batch of refined Jinhua Pills only yielded six or seven.

Even if one was highly regarded by the masters of the Three Halls, they could at most be allotted a single pill.

Looking at the Pill Bottle in Yang Jing’s hand, even Zhou Boyi, who prided himself on being a refined gentleman, couldn’t help but lose some of his composure.

’He never imagined Yang Jing would use his financial standing to overwhelm him so directly. The Sect Elders are far too biased in Yang Jing’s favor!’

"We True Disciples should prioritize the Sect’s ethos. How can we gamble in public, especially on the outcome of a Magical Combat between Sect Disciples?"

Zhou Boyi waved his hand dismissively, looking somewhat flustered as he rejected Yang Jing’s challenge. He had already used all the Tier Three Elixirs acquired during his travels in the Central Continent to advance his Cultivation. He possessed no Spirit Medicines comparable in value to Jinhua Pills. If he were to accept Yang Jing’s bet, he would have to wager the Magical Treasure he had forged only after painstakingly gathering all the required Spiritual Materials.

As a True Disciple of the Master-Disciple Faction without a wealthy and powerful family backing him, refining this Magical Treasure had not been easy.

"It seems Senior Brother Zhou has more faith in the Blood Spirit Scripture than even I do."

Yang Jing said, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Hmph!"

Zhou Boyi, flustered, waved his sleeve and went to sit with the other True Disciples. Over there, an eager Inner Sect Disciple was already piloting a Flying Spiritual Artifact in the air, allowing the True Disciples to watch the battle from a high vantage point.

Seeing this, Yang Jing also activated the Five Clouds Pouch he had previously refined, taking his five disciples into the air.

The Magic Battle Platform for Magical Combat between Foundation Establishment Cultivators was much larger than the one used by Outer Disciples, spanning over two hundred zhang in circumference. It was also protected by a Tier Two Array to shield onlookers from the aftershocks of the battle.

"Senior Brother Zhou!"

Seeing Zhou Boyi arrive, the few True Disciples already on the Flying Spiritual Artifact immediately greeted him with enthusiasm.

Seeing a few junior brothers and sisters he was familiar with, Zhou Boyi, feeling quite indignant, recounted his recent conflict with Yang Jing to them.

"Yang Jing is that brazen?"

The others merely offered a few words of agreement but showed no intention of joining forces with him to challenge Yang Jing to the bet.

Although they were also True Disciples, their Cultivation was still shallow; two of them hadn’t even reached Core Formation yet. Their chances of competing for the Nine Marvelous Creation Qi were extremely slim. It was one thing to humor Zhou Boyi to his face, but why would they truly make an enemy of Yang Jing for his sake?

After all, the Great Five Elements Divine Light Prohibition was no laughing matter.

Seeing that the junior brothers and sisters he was normally friendly with were only paying him lip service and taking no real action, Zhou Boyi grew even more frustrated.

A moment later, Shao Zhongguang came flying through the air, riding a Blood Saber. As he flew, he trailed a blood-red Tunneling Light. His Tunneling Speed was extremely fast; one moment he was several hundred zhang away, and the next he appeared above the Magic Battle Platform.

Yang Jing looked at the Flying Saber he was riding, then glanced at Ji Feng sitting beside him. The saber was clearly Ji Feng’s handiwork.

"I lent Shao Zhongguang the Spirit Stones to commission Ji Feng to refine that Flying Saber."

Ren Xingzhou flew onto the Five Clouds Pouch and explained to Yang Jing.

The Blood Spirit Scripture was, after all, a Cultivation Technique created by Yang Jing. If the loss was too humiliating, it would likely damage his reputation.

Shao Zhongguang came from a poor background. His only Magical Artifact before this was a Tier One Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact he had purchased after joining the Sect. Such an artifact was completely useless in Magical Combat between Foundation Establishment Cultivators; it would shatter after being hit by a single Magic.

Ren Xingzhou was incredibly meticulous. He had even investigated Zha Wenxun’s background in advance, discovering that his Cultivation had reached the Third Layer of Foundation Establishment and that he practiced the Sharp Gold Void White Skill—a Metal Element Cultivation Method commonly chosen by Inner Sect Disciples.