Soaring the Heavens Chapter 413: Wager

"You do have a point, but…" Yun Feiyang paused for a bit, then raised his gaze and said, "Why should I agree? Wouldn't I lose face if I do as you say? How can this young master simply follow a woman's bidding?"

"Is your pride that important?" Yue Yao continued, "The space on this island is severely limited, and only a hundred participants can make it out alive. If we were to start a full-scale battle, are you sure you could kill your Devil Nation cultivators?"

"..." Yun Feiyang was speechless. He really would have a hard time doing so. Not because he couldn't, but because of his background.

All devil cultivators fall under the commanding authority that was the Great Devil Realm. This was even more so for Devil Nation cultivators, who collectively revered the Yun clan as their leaders. Perhaps on a normal day, Yun Feiyang could kill a devil cultivator that upset him. However, he was now in the Subjugation Crusade. How would it look if he killed his own people just so he could get a higher ranking? Even if he won, there wouldn't be any glory in it.

The other devil cultivators could kill one another to their hearts' content in the Subjugation Crusade, but as the representative of the Great Devil Realm, Yun Feiyang alone could not. It was simply because these people were all subjects of the Great Devil Realm. Similar to how they couldn't make a move against Yun Feiyang, he too couldn't make a move against them.

Truthfully, over the years in the Sea of Constellations, aside from several insolent fools, Yun Feiyang had never once killed a Devil Nation cultivator. He even had to give them a helping hand if he ever saw them in trouble.

This was the same case for the other five representatives. For example, when Yue Yao saw Gu Sanzheng and the others in trouble, she still chose to save them even though she had to face Bai Ziliang. Those who enjoyed the privileges of a high status always had certain responsibilities they needed to fulfill.

Yue Yao then asked, "This island is not that big. You'll be able to see everything that's happening here. If you catch sight of your Devil Nation cultivators being killed by the other participants, will you turn a blind eye to them? There are only a hundred spots available. How many do you think you can save? Are you sure you'll be able to save them all?"

"..." Yun Feiyang felt dazed. There was no way he wouldn't save his own people, but how? If the cultivators from all six nations were to start an all-out skirmish, it would be utter chaos. People from this side would kill people from that side and vice versa. There would even be murders happening within a single faction. How then, could he save everyone?

Yue Yao sighed, "If the six of us hadn't decided to join the Subjugation Crusade, we could have just as easily let them be. But since we're here now, we can't just sit idly by and look the other way. Even though this doesn't change anything, at least we'll be able to rest easy. Once word spreads out, at least they will say that the six of us have fulfilled our responsibilities to our own nation's cultivators."

Yun Feiyang nodded. He agreed with Yue Yao's point, but upon recalling his earlier words, he stubbornly stood his ground and said, "You want me to agree with you just because of this?"

Yue Yao huffed. Narrowing her gaze at him, she asked, "You really won't agree to it?"

Yun Feiyang chuckled. "If you promise to marry me, I will immediately agree without hesitation!"

Behind him, Miao Yi immediately felt an urge to stab Yun Feiyang to death with his spear. 'What kind of joke is this? Earlier on, you wanted me to marry your sister. And now you want to marry mine? Preposterous!'

Evidently, Yue Yao was no stranger to men who desired to win her hand in marriage. It was simply because she was too beautiful. The number of admirers she had was as numerous as the fish in the sea. After countless similar experiences, she naturally developed a way to deal with them, and she wouldn't be angered by their attempts at all. She would just end up frustrated if she let herself be angered by people like Yun Feiyang.

Yue Yao calmly replied, "You want to marry me? Not a problem! However, you have to show that you have what it takes first!"

'I really have a chance to bag this beautiful woman?' Yun Feiyang stood up excitedly, his eyes glowing with vigor. Initially, he'd said it as a joke and didn't put too much thought into his words as he knew it was an impossible offer. Mu Fanjun and Yun Aotian were from the same generation. How could Mu Fanjun allow a direct disciple to marry Yun Aotian's grandson? Wouldn't that just lower Yue Yao's status?

However, now he was impatiently asking, "Then tell me, Yue Yao, what do you want me to do?" What kind of man wouldn't like to have such a beautiful woman?

Yue Yao plainly replied, "Do you think an average cultivator would be a good match for me?"

Yun Feiyang's eyes widened immediately as he exclaimed, "Of course not! Whichever toad wishing to eat the meat of the swan will incur the wrath of the masses. I wouldn't even have to step in!" 

Yue Yao calmly explained, "Correct. The person I marry obviously can't be some average cultivator. Thus, Yun Feiyang, if you manage to defeat Yun Aotian and bring him to his knees, thereby becoming the strongest devil cultivator, I can consider marrying you."

"I—" In his haste, Yun Feiyang almost agreed to her terms. However, he hurriedly shut his mouth in time, almost biting his tongue in the process. His gaze remained fixed on Yue Yao with an utterly stupefied expression on his face.

Yue Yao narrowed her eyes and continued, "I've already told you my terms. If you ever say anything like wanting to marry me again, I'll take it that you have prepared yourself to defeat Yun Aotian. There are many people here who can act as a witness."

Yun Feiyang quickly looked back at his escorts and sent them a warning glare. If word got out that he wanted to defeat Yun Aotian, he would definitely be beaten until he was crippled.

Yun Feiyang felt a chill run down his spine. He sat back down and said angrily, "Yue Yao, how dare you play me for a fool?! I won't agree to your terms. Just watch as my Devil Nation cultivators start a bloodbath then!"

"You won't agree?" Yue Yao huffed, "No matter then. The other four representatives will surely agree to it anyway. When that happens, our five nations will join hands to eliminate all your Devil Nation cultivators. That way, we'll be able to increase the chances of survival for our own nation's cultivators too. Of course, we won't kill all of you. We still have to show the Great Devil Realm some face. I think it should be fine if we spare only you."

Yun Feiyang's expression twisted as he knew deep down that the others would definitely agree to Yue Yao's idea. If he was the only one that disagreed, there really was a high chance that the others would join hands against him. It seemed like he had no choice but to concede!

Miao Yi stared at Yue Yao's beautiful face and watched how confidently his little sister now carried herself. He sighed inwardly, 'Little Sister has really grown up now. She can think for herself already. She is no longer the same snot-nosed brat who would always come crying to her big brother after getting bullied. Now no one can easily take advantage of her anymore.'

Yan Beihong snuck a glance at Miao Yi as he thought to himself, 'Miao Yi's sister is definitely not one to mess with!'

"Stop trying to scare me. Do you think the others will agree to it so easily? I will first talk this over with Hei Wuya and the others before deciding." Yun Feiyang quickly gave himself an excuse to retreat. Waving his hand, he said, "Let's go!"

However, right as he reached the exit, Yue Yao's voice suddenly came from behind, "Hold it!"

Yun Feiyang and the others stopped. Turning around, Yun Feiyang smiled and asked, "Little Sister Yue Yao, don't tell me you want me to stay for a meal as well? I'd be happy to oblige though."

Yue Yao stood up and asked, "Who was the one who said that Situ Xiao and Feng Beichen couldn't beat Yun Aotian and that even my master was no match for him?"

Yun Feiyang slapped his chest and replied, "I said it. What about it? Do you think I'm lying? Your master and the rest of them are indeed no match for my grandfather."

Yue Yao said proudly, "As far as I know, Yun Aotian is the one who's no match for my master at all."

"What a joke! You can't twist a fact that's known across the realm just to suit your needs."

The matter concerned not just his grandfather's reputation, but the reputation of the Great Devil Realm as well. Naturally, Yun Feiyang had to stand his ground.

"I don't wish to argue with you. Bickering will not prove who is stronger and who isn't. Let's do it this way then. You represent the Great Devil Realm, while I represent the Realm Beyond Heaven. After the fight, we'll be able to make clear which side is stronger!" Yue Yao looked at Yun Feiyang in disdain as she continued, "Yun Feiyang, do you dare to accept my challenge?"

Yun Feiyang immediately shot her a glare and said, "Bring it on! You think I'm scared of you?!"

"I can't simply fight you without anything to gain just because of your nonsense. Why don't we make a wager for ten thousand Geotranscendence Bangles as well?" Yue Yao asked.

"Ten thousand…" Yun Feiyang was taken aback, thinking, 'How can she be so confident?' But he soon dismissed the thought, feeling that he mustn't show any weakness. Not to mention, he really didn't have anything to fear anyway. Puffing his chest out, he exclaimed, "You're on! Like I'm afraid of you!"

"In order to avoid someone being a sore loser, we need two more witnesses." Yue Yao turned around and said, "Lan Ruo, go ask Hei Wuya and Feng Ruxiu to come over."

Lan Ruo quickly acknowledged the order and departed.

The rest of them soon left the main hall as well. They couldn't fight inside after all. This wooden house wouldn't be able to take it.

At the foot of the mountain, Yun Feiyang and Yue Yao stood facing each other. One was arrogantly looking around, while the other simply stood elegantly like a flower.

Soon, one man appeared, dressed in an intricately-designed set of black armor, with a black cape draped over his shoulders. His face was covered by the visor of his helmet, which only revealed his eyes.

Underneath him was a savage black wolf the size of a bull. The wolf had a mouth full of sharp fangs and three glowing green eyes. It was quite the terrifying creature.

The man wore intricate scaled gloves on his hands, and his whole body was almost completely covered up—only his eyes remained visible. However, his eyes were very beautiful and seemed very pure and refined. The skin around his eyes was also extremely fair.

Escorted by several subordinates, this person gave off a dark yet elegant aura. It was hard to describe the feeling he imparted on other people. This man was none other than Hei Yun's son, Hei Wuya.

Shortly afterward, another man with an equally noble bearing showed up. Dressed in Taoist robes, the man quickly approached atop a golden-furred Hou while escorted by his subordinates. This person was none other than Hua Yu's disciple, Feng Ruxiu.

The two witnesses had finally arrived. Hei Wuya sat quietly on his mount, while Feng Ruxiu smiled as he watched the pair that was facing off and said, "Yue Yao, why must you lower yourself to Yun Feiyang's level? It'll damage your reputation."

 云飞扬立刻扭头吼道:"臭牛鼻子,你什么意思?"

Yun Feiyang immediately turned his head and snarled, "Shitty bull-nose, what do you mean by that?!"

"Cut the chit-chat!" Yue Yao commanded, then continued, "I don't have time to waste on you. Hurry up and make your move!"

Riding atop his Mad Satan Bull, Yun Feiyang saw that Yue Yao was still just standing with her hands behind her back. She wasn't even bringing out her mount. Her actions were absolutely arrogant; she wasn't holding him in any regard at all. Gnashing his teeth in frustration, Yun Feiyang couldn't help asking, "Yue Yao, where's your mount?"

Yue Yao scoffed, "Like I need my mount to deal with you."

Laughing in exasperation, Yun Feiyang replied, "Good! Then don't blame me for not showing mercy to a woman! You'd better not be a sore loser and go back on your word once I beat you!"

Yue Yao couldn't be bothered to waste any more time arguing with him now that everyone was watching. She abruptly leaped upwards, shooting out six streaks of light with a flick of her sleeves. The six lights then quickly formed a crescent moon composed of black jade that hovered in the air. Standing atop the sharp end of the crescent moon, Yue Yao gracefully poised herself in the sky.

If one didn't know she was actually cross-dressing, they would really think of her as some Prince Charming from the majestic aura she was currently giving off.

As she levitated in the sky, Yue Yao lithe fingers danced, forming various hand signs. Then, the crescent moon beneath her abruptly split open, forming six carbon copies which protected Yue Yao in the center.

People both near and far were starting to shift their gazes over to the battlefield, and many of them couldn't help admiring Yue Yao's transcendent artifact. Yun Feiyang's expression twisted slightly as well.

Up in the sky, the six crescent moons surrounding Yue Yao suddenly began rapidly orbiting around her as she made a sharp descent straight towards Yun Feiyang.

Chapter end