Chapter 98

Chapter 98: High-Grade Magical Artifact

The moment Zheng Ting Tao departed, the previously quiet grassland erupted into commotion.

"It can’t be! Why did I only get thirty points? I answered everything!"

"No way, what’s going on? I didn’t even make the top six?"

"This written examination was truly difficult. I barely got fourth place."

"Honestly, I never thought sixty-eight points could land in the top three."

……

Discussions swirled one after another.

Of course, the most unbelievable thing in their eyes was naturally Zhou Luo.

How did he alone manage to score ninety-five points?

Under normal circumstances, they might have assumed he simply got lucky.

But this time, with the written examination so difficult and everyone scoring poorly, this guy still got ninety-five.

Wasn’t that outrageous?

Could his theoretical knowledge really be that vast?

Just as everyone found it unimaginable, a clear, commanding voice suddenly cut through the noise.

"Lu An, hand your belongings over!"

Lin Xin fixed her blazing eyes on Lu An, who stood frozen in place, stepping before him with the air of a victor.

Behind her, Wang Yu Wei and Zhou Luo flanked either side, radiating formidable presence.

Lu An’s face turned livid, his gaze boring into Zhou Luo’s calm expression with the intensity of someone longing to tear him to pieces.

All others turned their attention toward them.

Under such circumstances, if Lu An dared to go back on his word, the entire Lu Family might be scorned for generations.

Lu An knew well that tarnishing the family name would earn him severe punishment upon return.

However precious that mid-grade magical artifact and those three bottles of potions might be, he had to surrender them.

Under the watchful eyes of the trio, Lu An clenched his teeth, consumed by bitter reluctance, and flung the treasured sword and three bottles of potions toward them.

"Don’t get cocky," he forced out through suppressed fury.

"We won—why shouldn’t we?" Lin Xin shot back.

Tilting her chin up, her face etched with disdain, she added, "Even if your Lu Family got another chance, you’d only ever end up defeated by my Lin Family."

Having endured his taunts earlier, she made sure to repay him in kind.

At these words, Lu An clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened, a tidal wave of rage surging within him.

But Lin Xin simply ignored him.

"Here."

She passed the three items to Zhou Luo.

"Thank you, Third Young Lady."

Zhou Luo’s eyes lit up, and he stored the things away with a smile.

Although he couldn’t fully utilize the mid-grade magical artifact’s ability now, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t in the future.

With such a powerful magical artifact by his side, he gained more confidence when going out to search for Dragon Blood Grass.

Besides, though those three bottles of potion were not very useful to him, they could be used for his wife and children.

The beauty potion wasn’t needed for the time being and could be sold, but the Spirit Raising Pill that boosted spiritual energy for entry-level cultivators was truly valuable.

After returning later, he could let little Chang An and the others take it.

These three items all brought great benefits to Zhou Luo, so he accepted them happily.

But this sight deeply pierced Lu An’s heart when he witnessed it.

"I want to keep competing against you!"

Seeing the three prepare to leave, Lu An raised his voice, sounding extremely agitated.

The trio halted their steps, and Lin Xin looked at him contemptuously before asking, "Are you worthy?"

Stab—

Lu An felt as if a sharp blade had been thrust into his heart, leaving him distraught.

His blood and qi surged; he took a deep breath and looked at Zhou Luo. "I want to bet with you again on the martial skills competition!"

Previously, he had learned that this guy had an extremely high alchemy failure rate daily. Though rich in theoretical knowledge, Zhou Luo was definitely no match for him in practical alchemy.

To win back his belongings and the Lu Family’s dignity, he had to make this bet.

Zhou Luo glanced at him and slowly said, "Do you think I would agree?"

"Or are you about to pull the same old trick again?"

"But it seems your Lu Family’s dignity has already been lost."

These heart-piercing words provoked bursts of laughter from the onlookers.

From the start, the other party had refused this bet.

If Lu An hadn’t mocked the Lin Family, provoking Lin Xin’s fury, Zhou Luo would not have accepted the challenge.

Now, the Lu Family no longer had the right to ridicule the Lin Family.

Given that, what reason remained for Zhou Luo to accept the fight?

Lu An stood frozen in place; hearing the uncontrollable laughter turned him crimson with rage.

"Let us go." Zhou Luo had no intention of dealing with him and turned to leave.

"I’ll bet a high-grade magical artifact against you!"

Right then, Lu An’s voice abruptly rang out.

Zhou Luo stopped walking before turning back to face him.

The others gasped in astonishment.

"You have a high-grade magical artifact?" Lin Xin murmured, her gaze darkening.

Earlier, when she saw that he had only taken out a mid-grade magical artifact, she thought he didn’t own anything better.

Now it seemed he had simply been unwilling to reveal it.

Lu An was indeed unwilling.

That artifact was his only life-saving tool—how could he bear to wager it?

But at this moment, to force the other party into battle, he had no choice.

Otherwise, he would carry shame before the opponent all year long. Worse still, if word got back to his family, strict punishment would follow.

“Are you certain it’s a high-grade magical artifact?” Zhou Luo asked aloud.

He hadn’t planned to engage in this pointless bet—after all, he’d already won.

But a high-grade magical artifact—

That changed everything.

Opposite him, Lu An’s face darkened as he raised his right hand.

Hummmm—

The next instant, spirit light erupted as the piercing toll of a bell suddenly resounded.

Before him, a small golden bell appeared in everyone’s view.

The bell was ancient bronze in color, carved with mountains, rivers, and vegetation beneath the sun, moon, and stars. A luminous halo circled its form, radiating a sense of primordial grandeur.

All who saw it sensed an immense, heavy aura, and each wore an expression of shock.

This wasn’t just any high-grade magical artifact—it was the finest of its kind.

Zhou Luo, too, felt its extraordinary nature; even the sword Lin Xin had previously produced couldn’t compare.

“I wager this Golden Bell. Do you dare accept?”

Putting away the treasure, Lu An demanded sharply.

“What if you go back on your word?” Zhou Luo, confident of victory, countered.

“We’ll have an immortal bear witness.” Lu An’s tone was unwavering.

Had this been the written examination, he might’ve wavered. But in a martial skills competition? There was no way his opponent could defeat him.

“Fine. I accept your wager,” Zhou Luo declared.

Hearing the two bet again, the crowd burst into an uproar.

None had expected so much drama today.

The pair then headed toward the black building.

As an unspoken rule among front yard disciples, conflicts requiring formal contest always went to Elder Liu for oversight.

Learning Elder Liu was to preside, Zhou Luo knew the Golden Bell was as good as his.

Inside the pavilion hall, Elder Liu listened to the wager and grew enthused at once.

“Excellent, excellent! Young minds ought to be bold—I’ll bear witness for you,” he declared with satisfaction.

“Our gratitude, Elder Liu,” both acknowledged with clasped hands.

With oversight secured, the contest could proceed.

As the appointed time approached, the top six performers from the written examination moved toward the building Zheng Ting Tao had indicated. The eliminated four trailed behind.

They were eager to witness this match.