Zhen Ping Fan was truly dumbfounded when he found out that his father knew nothing at all about this matter. Then, he quickly warned Duan Ling Tian through Voice Transmission, “Duan Ling Tian, you shouldn’t lie. It’s fine if the Seven Kills Valley refuses, but if they agree, you’re going to have to produce a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete soul if Dao Wei defeats you. Otherwise, let alone me, even the sect won’t be able to protect you.”

It would not be much of a problem if the Seven Kills Valley was an ordinary emperor-rank force, but it was on par with the Pure Yang Sect in the Eastern Ridge Mansion. Although the Seven Kills Valley was slightly weaker than the Pure Yang Sect, the Pure Yang Sect still would not be willing to offend the Seven Kills Valley to such an extent.

“Elder Zhen, I understand,” Duan Ling Tian replied, not surprised by Zhen Ping Fan’s message.

“If you understand then why did you propose such a thing? Where are you going to find a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete soul?” Zhen Ping Fan said somewhat angrily.

Duan Ling Tian smiled before he replied, “Elder Zhen, what if I tell you that I’ll definitely win a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact for you? If I’m 100% confident, won’t you borrow it from Elder Yun Feng? In fact, there might not be a need for that if the Seven Kills Valley doesn’t demand us to show our stakes.”

Zhen Ping Fan was stunned by Duan Ling Tian’s words. His eyes glinted after he thought about Duan Ling Tian’s words again. There were only a few Ascension Elders in the Pure Yang Sect in possession of prominent divine artifacts with incomplete artifact souls. He did not think much about his lack of a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. However, he did feel slightly discontented when he found out that the Seven Kills Valley’s Hong Yun Xiao possessed a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul even if he knew Hong Yun Xiao only came into possession of the weapon due to luck. In terms of strength and background, he was superior to Hong Yun Xiao, after all.

“Are you truly confident?” Zhen Ping Fan asked again. Although he was very confident and optimistic about Duan Ling Tian, the stakes were too high after all. In the entire Eastern Ridge Mansion, there were perhaps fewer than 30 prominent divine artifacts with an incomplete artifact soul, and most of them were in the possession of the top five emperor-rank forces in the Eastern Ridge Mansion.

“As long as he’s not an advanced Lord of Gods, I’m 100% confident,” Duan Ling Tian replied without hesitation.

“Very good! I’ll speak to my father immediately,” Zhen Ping Fan said as his eyes lit up. He wasted no time in sending his father, Zhen Yun Feng, a message.

“Father, there are only a few advanced Lord of Gods under the age of 10,000 in the Eastern Ridge Mansion over the past 100,000 years. We’ve also been paying attention to Dao Wei’s progress. It’s impossible for him to break through in such a short time and become an advanced Lord of Gods even if he has an abundance of resources. I think it’s worth a gamble,” Zhen Ping Fan said to his father.

Zhen Yun Feng replied immediately, “I know. I believe in Duan Ling Tian as well. I’ll allow both of you to use my prominent divine artifact as a stake. However, I think both of you are too optimistic and naive. Do you really think the Seven Kills Valley will be willing to use such a treasure as a stake? Especially when they know how talented Duan Ling Tian is…”

Zhen Yun Feng’s excitement died down slightly upon hearing his father’s words. However, his eyes still could not help but shine with anticipation as he looked at Yu Chang Lian. ‘Yu Chang Lian doesn’t seem like he’s qualified to make such a decision. I don’t think he has a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul as well…’

Dao Wei, who finally regained his senses, scoffed at Duan Ling Tian. “Duan Ling Tian, is this a joke? Do you even possess such a prominent divine artifact? If you ask me, I think you’re just trying to get out of the duel by coming up with such a ridiculous proposal. Are you that afraid of me?”

Even if Duan Ling Tian was able to produce a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul to use as a stake, the Seven Kills Valley definitely would not dare to take such risk even if Dao Wei was strong.

Yu Chang Lian remained silent. However, a hint of contempt could be seen in his eyes when he looked at Duan Ling Tian. He shared the same opinion as Dao Wei and thought that Duan Ling Tian was just trying to avoid fighting Dao Wei.

‘Why is he unwilling to duel? Does he want to hide his strength? Is he not confident?’

Yu Chang Lian did not think Duan Ling Tian was afraid of Dao Wei. After all, for Zhen Ping Fan to personally go to the Flying Dragon Sect to recruit Duan Ling Tian was proof enough that Duan Ling Tian was highly talented. Moreover, Duan Ling Tian’s achievements spoke for themselves as well. His progress in the past few decades alone was enough for him to be considered among the top prodigies in the history of the Eastern Ridge Mansion. He really did not understand why Duan Ling Tian would propose this. After all, he was certain Duan Ling Tian did not possess such a prominent divine artifact, and even if Duan Ling Tian did possess such a weapon, Duan Ling Tian would not reveal it unless he had a death wish. After all, even Emperors of Gods would be tempted by such a weapon.

As soon as Dao Wei spoke, Zhen Ping Fan said nonchalantly, “Who says he doesn’t have such a prominent divine artifact to use as a stake? I just spoke to my father, and he’s willing to lend his prominent divine artifact to Duan Ling Tian. If that’s enough, I can swear on the Devil’s Heart Blood Oath to prove the veracity of my words. If Duan Ling Tian loses to Dao Wei, that prominent divine artifact will be yours. Naturally, that will depend on whether the Seven Kills Valley is willing to accept the bet.”

Everyone, except for Duan Ling Tian, was shocked by Zhen Ping Fan’s words.

The members of the Pure Yang Sect did not think there was a point in dissuading Zhen Ping Fan since even Zhen Yun Feng had agreed to it. It was clear to them that Zhen Yun Feng was highly confident about Duan Ling Tian’s ability. Without Zhen Yun Feng’s permission, even Zhen Ping Fan would not dare to use his father’s prominent divine artifact as a stake. Since Zhen Yun Feng was so confident, all of them thought that Duan Ling Tian’s strength must have risen tremendously after becoming an intermediate Lord of Gods.

At the same time, Dao Wei’s expression darkened immediately. He did not expect Zhen Ping Fan to say such words. He knew that Zhen Ping Fan not only had an extraordinary background, but Zhen Ping Fan, a highly talented rudimentary Emperor of Gods, was stronger than his master, Yu Chang Lian, as well. He could scoff, ridicule, and refute Duan Ling Tian’s words, but he could not afford to do so with Zhen Ping Fan. Hence, with Zhen Ping Fan’s intervention, he could only look at his master.

When Yu Chang Lian recovered from the shock, he thought that the Pure Yang Sect was despicable for coveting their prominent divine artifact. Nonetheless, he maintained the smile on his face and said, “It seems like Junior Uncle Yun Feng is very confident about Duan Ling Tian’s strength. If I’m not mistaken, Duan Ling Tian must have become an intermediate Lord of Gods, right?”

Zhen Ping Fan could not help but roll his eyes upon hearing Yu Chang Lian’s words. Now that Duan Ling Tian’s cultivation base had been exposed, there was no way the Seven Kills Valley would agree to such a bet. In any case, he knew the secret could not be kept for long. Eventually, someone from the Pure Yang Sect would expose it.

Yu Chang Lian, who had confirmed his speculation after seeing the expressions of Zhen Ping Fan and the members of the Pure Yang Sect, turned to look at Duan Ling Tian and said with a smile, “Congratulations, Duan Ling Tian. Based on your past performances, it seems like you’ll definitely rank in the top 10 during the Seven Mansions Feast now that you’ve become an intermediate Lord of Gods. Perhaps, my disciple might stand a chance if you’re still a rudimentary Lord of Gods, but now, I don’t think he’s a match for you.”

With these words, Yu Chang Lian admitted defeat on behalf of his disciple.

Dao Wei’s expression changed immediately as soon as he heard Yu Chang Lian’s words. Just as he was about to protest, he received a message from Yu Chang Lian.

“Unless you’re 100% confident you can defeat him, you’ll die if you lose the prominent divine artifact. How much do you know about him for you to confidently claim that you can defeat him? It’s good to be confident, but if you overdo it, you’re just conceited.”

Yu Chang Lian’s voice turned icy at the end of his message. He knew his disciple very wellso he had quickly sent a message to stop his disciple from speaking up.

At this time, Duan Ling Tian said with a smile, “Thank you for the compliment, Elder Yu. If you don’t have confidence in Dao Wei, you can substitute with someone stronger from the Seven Kills Valley. The stakes will be the same.”