Page 26: A Bet

The old man was still pleading. Not a moment later, his ruckus called the attention of the guards bit before they can pull out the man, Long Bai was already in front of him. Wang Yan who wasn't able to stop him kept quiet thinking how would Zhang Li react when she sees this.

Long Bai approached the old man and made an offer.

"Old mister, if you would like, I will create the pills for you. I don't need you to pay the fee but in return, any extra pill created will be mine. You said you just need two pills right? No one here wants to make the pill since its dangerous. What do you say?"

The old man became quiet then began to have hope.

"Young alchemist, are you going to ask your master to create the pills for me? Thank you! Thank you!"

"Ah, mister I think you did not hear me clearly but I said that I will be the one to make it. Think about it, you badly need the antidote but no one wants to make it. You spent all your savings to buy the materials until nothing is left. Will you still hesitate when someone offers you an opportunity? If I'm not confident about it, I won't out myself into the danger it brings. Don't you agree?" Long Bai's words echoed throughout the hall since everyone turned silent.

The old man, after hearing Long Bai's declaration paused a moment then handled the materials slowly. At the background, another alchemist came to interrupt.

"Wait, let me take the deal. I'm a grade 2 alchemist, compared to this child, I have a higher chance of making it. Don't you think? Are you sure this kid is even an alchemist? Show us your badge, kid."

Before the materials landed on Bai's hands, the old man hesitated and went to a halt. The old man asked his doubts.

"Young master, are you really an alchemist?"

Before Long Bai can respond, the grade 2 alchemist came closer and began making offers.

"Old man, if you let me take those herbs and give me one day, I'll deliver you the pills. Why would you trust a kid who's not even an alchemist? Look, he doesn't have a badge on his waist."

The people who heard those words became furious. They know that this kind of scheme are ways to scam people. They pretend to make the pills for a while day and afterwards, return ti just claim that it failed because it was difficult. In the end, they just wanted the herbs and there was no sincerity in it.

Long Bai who heard this from their whispers realized the truth and made a counter.

"Old man, if you trust me, I will make the pill today and finish the product in an hour."

The grade 2 alchemist who was making offer made a hysterical laugh. The people around who heard Ling Bai's words were also astonished. Because of this, the whole floor was in chaos.

"Hahaha! How audacious if you! A kid who never know the consequences of his actions, you're just seeking death. If you can make it, I'll really call you daddy!"

The people around can't also help but laugh at the situation. They were respected alchemists and yet, a kid is claiming to be better than them.

"Long Bai who anticipated such reaction was not affected and instead made a challenge.

"Old man, you must decide now. If you really want the cure now, I'm your only chance. If you wait till tomorrow, are you sure there will still be time?"

Because of Long Bai's words, the old mister gave up his tomorrow and placed his bet of today. He gave all the ingredients to Long Bai with a surrendered face.

Long Bai faced the grade 2 alchemist and declared a war.

"Mister grade 2 alchemist, how about we make a bet? If I successfully make the pill, you'll give me your stall here. If I fail, I'll be your medicine boy for life and you can do whatever you want. What do you say?"

Due to the chaos, some guards have called an elder. The people made a way for the approaching elder. While they approach, Long Bai noticed his senior sister.

"Long Bai, what's happening here? Is what these people murmuring all true?"

The elder that was approaching together with Zhang Li spoke which made the onlookers quiet.

"Little Li, is this the kid you're talking about?"

"Yes master. What do you think?"

The elder looked at the situation and decided to become the judge. This will also serve as a test for him.

" Since it is like this, I'll be the judge for this bet. Alchemist Mo, will you agree?"

"Alchemist Mo will be honoured. Senior Wei is known for his excellent judgement."

"Alright, as the judge, I would like both parties to swear an oath to the heavens."

When everyone heard the conditions, everyone was shocked. Even the grade 2 alchemist, Mo, was shaken. Although just foe a while, he was confident that the child will not succeed. On the other hand, the people were making clamors around saying a lot of thongs. "Just a small bet but they need to make the heaven's oath? Just how serious is senior Wei about this kid? "

Long Bai who was clueless about it looked at Zhang Li and silently asked what was the heaven's oath. Zhang Li understood the plea and began informing Bai.

"Long Bai, have you heard of the tribulation lightning? In this world, all is under heaven. When you reached the boundary of immortals, the heavens' eyes will try to stop you but if you overcome, you would ascend to a new cultivation realm. While this is the goal of cultivators, the heavens also have ears. When a cultivator makes an oath under heaven and breaks if, the heavens will punish the oath breaker with tribulation lightning. Do you understand your predicament? If you agree, you are betting your life."

Long Bai was satisfied with the explanation and just smiled at his senior. Although Zhang Li knew a little about Bai's talents, she was still worried but looking at the beaming confidence of his, she just can't help it.

Now since both parties are ready, both spoke their oaths under the heavens.

________________

Zhang Li's

After leaving Bai to man the stall, Zhang Li entered a room on the second floor of the tower. Inside, an old man was there sipping his tea.

"Disciple Li greets master Wei. This little one would like a promotion for grade 2."

"You've made progress then? Although Little Yan came here first a few days ago, you were not that behind. You two disciples of mine needs to focus more. The interschool is just a year from now. If at least you two can reach grade 3 by then, you may stand a chance.

Go and arrange the materials. We'll start the evaluation when you are ready. I'll go and call a judge."

Zhang Li took the test and was successful. Now she's a full fledged grade 2 alchemist. Although she passed, Zhang Li felt she was lacking as her progress was slower than expected.

"Master, there's someone I want you to take a look at. He might be able to help us during the competition against the other two elders in the sect. I want to suggest him to enter as the third entry. I'm also planning for him to take the grade 1 test."