Everyone else must have understood the sa thing, but Huali simply frowned and replied, Your disciple is a hundred levels over Jack. It would be like a human slapping a mosquito.
Its not about victory. Its about seeing how far Jack can push my disciple before losing. Plusconsidering what happened to my other disciple, Dan Bolon, this Jack of yours seems to enjoy battling.
Huali frowned. Obviously, she wasnt considering whether to accept or decline this duel, as accepting it would just humiliate her. But she couldnt just decline, either.
How about you bring soone closer to Jacks level? she suggested. I will not submit my disciple to a beating just because you ask.
I have no other disciples available, and such important matters need to be settled quickly. We should strike when the iron is hot. If you have nothing to hide, whats the problem with letting Jack spar against Qian? Cultivators spar against stronger opponents all the ti. It is not a big deal.
Huali hesitated again. No matter how anyone saw it, she had the weaker position here, if only because Monsoon had revealed so information shed tried to keep secret. The problem was, she was currently trapped between a river and a cliff.
Monsoon knew this, of course, and he stepped on the gas. How about this: If you are concerned about Jack getting injured by my disciple, there is another way. At its core, this issue is about whether your judgnt in prospective disciples is insightful enough. I believe this recruitnt was not worth the price, while you believe the opposite. We could solve this by having Qian spar against your head disciple, Shol. The master of the winner will obviously have the better judgnt when it cos to disciples, and there is no mismatch between them, be it in level or status. What do you think, Huali?
This was even more undesirable. If Shol and Qian dueled publicly, Shol would most probably be defeated, and Huali would lose a lot of face. Given Monsoons fox-like maneuvers, he could probably exaggerate this issue to win him the Grand Elder position. Plus, if Shol lost now, Monsoons accusations would increase in credibility.
It looked like the only option was to have Jack spar against Qian, choosing to endure the lesser humiliation instead of the greater one. However, now that the other suggestion had been made, having Jack duel instead of Shol would an recognizing that Shol was weaker than Qian. Elder Mahadaji was presentthis implication wouldnt be lost on him.
In fact, his eyes were trained on Huali, waiting to hear her answer.
Jack, anwhile, was feeling terrible. Not because he was challenged, or even because he might receive a beating.
This was happening partly because of him. Master Huali had offered to help him, and because the matter had been leaked, she was now placed in such a tight spot. And, okay, that was not really his fault. However, since the plan had been leaked, was it even feasible anymore? What would happen to Hualis promise of saving Earth?
If anything, Jacks current position was even worse than Hualis. She was just going to lose so face, but he was in danger of losing his entire planet!
His mind spun with calculations, and he quickly concluded that, no matter what happened, things would turn out terrible for him. If he wanted the best chances of still receiving Hualis assistance, he had to bail her out of this, which was impossible.
But, perhaps, there was another way.
A plan slowly ford inside Jacks mind. A plan that could help Master Huali, but which would also corner her and make her unable to go back on her word, like shed done last ti during the Integration Tournant.
Jack had had enough of asking people to help him. This ti, he would demand itand try to get all birds with the sa stone.
Could I speak, master? he asked, bowing in Hualis direction. His eyes were earnest, and his chest puffed. He clearly had a plan.
Qians face warped as he almost berated Jack again, but since he had asked the question directly to elder Huali, Qian had no authority to speak. Shol did, but after glaring fiercely at Jack, he chose not tosince he also couldnt find a way out of this, all he could do was hope for the impossible.
Maybe Elder Huali thought the sa thing. Or maybe she expected Jack to sohow humiliate himself to get her out of this situation.
You may, she replied.
I am young and eager to prove myself, Jack began. There is nothing I would love more than to showcase my talent before the elders. However, I believe that this is not the best opportunity. I am still too weak to aningfully compare myself to soone like fellow disciple Qian. Therefore, I propose this: how about we agree on a public spar, so I can showcase my talent, in six months ti? I dont hope to win, but that would give enough ti to at least be able to fight Qian.
Silence fell as everyone tried to digest his words. Huali gazed at him deeply, pondering the ramifications of his suggestion, but it was actually Qian who beat her to the punch.
Such arrogance! he exclaid. Do you really think you can reach my level in only six months? Thats absurd. It took even a century to reach the peak of the D-Grade.
I dont just think so; I am confident it can be done, Jack replied quickly, so no one could stop him. In fact, how about we make a bet, Qian? When we fight in six months, I will be able to exchange three strikes with you without losing. If I cant, I will publicly acknowledge that my talent is insufficient and leave the Exploding Sun faction, not demanding that Master Huali help with my planets situation anymore. However, if I do manage to exchange three strikes with you, you will have to publicly admit that my talent is greater than yours, that my master was correct in her judgnt, and that yours was not.
Another bout of silence. It felt like even the air had stopped blowing to better hear Jacks brazen words.
Jack himself was feeling the pressure. He believed in winning the bet he proposed, but there were more layers under it, too; he was escalating the situation. If his proposal was accepted, that bet would beco a huge deal. It would probably be the deciding factor for the position of Grand Elder. In other words, Huali would have to pour all her resources into him until then, accepting him as her champion. If he won, he would secure enough status to guarantee the Exploding Suns assistance in the war for Earthhopefully.
If he was defeated, on the other hand, he would lose his honor and montum. He would be forced to publicly humiliate himself by apologizing, the Dao of the Fist would drown in doubts, and he would have proven himself an arrogant dog which barked but could not bite. However, Huali herself would also pay for his defeat; she would lose the position of Grand Elder. The two of them were bound together now.
Most importantly, the date hed set was six months away, which was only a month before the end of Earths grace period. His plan was to have the power to fight a middle C-Grade by thenif he couldnt even take three strikes of a peak D-Grade, he would have already failed.
It was a daunting goal, but one he believed he could reach, if things went his way. With Hualis full assistance and so hellish training, he was confident.
He didnt dare look back at his master. His gaze was glued on Qian, who was frowning slightly as he considered Jacks words. Monsoon, however, laughed out loud.
He has a quick mind, at least! he exclaid. Very well. Unless you disagree with your disciples suggestion, Huali, we accept the challenge.
There was silence from behind Jack. Only now did he dare glance backward, where Hualis wisdom-filled eyes were inspecting him carefully. Shol was looking at Huali with his eyes half-closed, no doubt conversing ntally.
Whatever they said, it sohow went to Jacks favor.
Very well, she replied. Let it be so. In six months, one day before the Elder Assembly, Jack will duel against Qian. If he can last more than three strikes, it will be his victory, and this matter will go to , with you publicly apologizing for your false accusations. If he fails, I will accept that my faith was misplaced, and Jack will have to leave the faction and my tutelage.
Monsoon only laughed again. He didnt seem to mind the stakeshe was convinced that, no matter what happened, Jack couldnt even co close to Qians level within three months.
Alright, Huali. We have a bet! Let just add that, if Jack sohow perishes before the duel, victory goes to .
Naturally, she agreed.
And I shall be the witness, Elder Mahadaji said, speaking for only the second ti in this entire exchange. His voice carried great power but felt sohow restrained, as if he was the introverted type.
Elder Mahadajis words honor us, Monsoon replied, bowing slightly. He seed in a great mood. In that case, there is nothing more to say. The truth behind this matter will be revealed in six months ti. I wish you a pleasant wait, Huali.
She did not reply. Monsoon and Qian flew away, with the latter not forgetting to shoot Jack one last, mocking glare. The two of them soon disappeared into the clouds.
I will be leaving too, Elder Mahadaji said. Given what happened, my visit here lost its aning.
Indeed. Thank you for visiting, Mahadaji, and I wish you a pleasant return trip, Huali replied politely, smiling at him with confidence.
Mm. Mahadaji nodded, he, too, shooting Jack another inquisitive glance before disappearing into the clouds.
Shol, Huali said, turning towards her mansion, you can handle this matter for now. I have a task that takes no delay.
Yes, Master.
Even Huali flew away, back into her mansion. All C-Grades had left, leaving only a flock of confused immortals hovering in the sky. The mont they were left alone, Shol glared at Jack so hard that his eyelids almost froze open.
Jack scratched his head, then gave Shol his best smile. You know, all things considered, Id say this went pretty well.
Shols glare did not abate in the slightest. My hut. Now, he said. Everyone else, disperse.
In the end, even the immortals flew away, leaving that patch of sky completely empty. However, the effects of this argunt were not so easy to disperse; they would echo throughout the entire faction and beyond for a long ti, until everyone knew that Jack, a low D-Grade, had challenged Qian, the factions strongest disciple, and that the next Grand Elder would be decided by the outco of their duel.
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