Chapter 45 - Bet

"As in to goad him in some bet?" Tian Longmeng's head tilted.

"Yes. Either you get a White Fire Chrysanthemum or you ask him a 1000 Year Spirit Vine. Those things should not be hard to find with some effort." Elder Canglong was nodding his head as if he had everything figured out.

Tian Longmeng, on the other hand, was still lost and continued questioning. "Why would I even- actually forget that. What would I even bet on?"

Elder Canglong opened one of his eyes at Tian Longmeng and sighed. "Do I seriously have to spell it out for you to understand?" "Listen, everyone who feels that they have reached a high point in cultivation has an innate sense of pride. All you have to do is stir up that pride so that he will easily bet with you."

After Tian Longmeng heard that explanation, he more or less grasped the idea Elder Canglong was suggesting. Just in time too, because while Tian Longmeng was in the Ark space, his body zoned out. Obviously, someone would notice that Tian Longmeng was not even paying attention to this wonderful display.

He came back to himself to see all the disciple's faces turned on him and Instructor Wang's budding irritation.

"So, I take it that these skills are somewhat too low level for a first place talent like you?" Instructor Wang made sure to stress the word "talent". It was no secret among the instructors the score of Tian Longmeng, and that included his subpar talent.

Tian Longmeng felt his rage bubble and quickly closed the lid on it before responding. "Instructor, I am sorry for this blunder of mine. If you could permit this talent to display the little he learnt?"

Everyone was shocked. Does Tian Longmeng mean to make this a contest of skill? How could he do such an insane thing? He barely entered the martial academy and he even fell asleep during the display, and now he wants to contest the instructor? Even Qin Qingtian peered her eyes at him in confusion.

Instructor Wang also was at a loss for words. He is a noble and does have a prejudice against commoners; however, he is not one to really slander and abuse people. He only picked on Tian Longmeng's faults because he was irritated that some little child dared to sleep while he was freely demonstrating a cultivation skill.

Even if it is a Mortal Cultivation Rank 1 cultivation skill, it is still incredibly hard for someone to learn this skill properly. So when Tian Longmeng came with the contest, Instructor Wang was taken aback.

Yet, Tian Longmeng continued. "However it would not merit me if I was to just do this. So, to make it meaningful for all, how about we wager on this?" "I have a Desolate Beast skull, should I lose."

There was an uproar of murmurings. Tian Longmeng actually had the gall to bet with an Instructor. This meant that Tian Longmeng was implicitly saying that he can perform the Sixfold Breath Movement better than Instructor Wang. They were questioning why would Tian Longmeng go so far to challenge the instructor.

Lu Yan muttered to himself. "Surely this could not be because of the insult on his talent. From what I have seen of him, he is not the one to impulsively jump at things." Lu Yan's speculation was grounded on the fact that Tian Longmeng actually brought out the beast skull.

Moreover, if Lu Yan could deduce this, Instructor Wang could as well. He also thought that Tian Longmeng may have been angry at first, but after he pulled out the beast skull, that meant that there was something else he was aiming for.

After all, that was not any ordinary beast skull, that was a Hou Tiger beast skull. These beasts are at the pinnacle of Desolate Beasts, a level that only the Tang Fei Elders can fight. Even then, they would need to fight together, and they would not escape without injuries. So, how did Tian Longmeng even get his hands on a skull then?

Instructor Wang fought to produce his words under his heavy mood; it seemed that Tian Longmeng was dead serious about this. "So what do you want?"

"Nothing too much, just a White Fire Chrysanthemum," Tian Longmeng said somewhat nonchalantly.

Instructor Wang nearly vomited blood from his exploding anger. Tian Longmeng's tone severely underplayed how valuable that flower is. The White Fire Chrysanthemum was a high tier medicine almost at the markings of a Spirit medicine.

Excluding the massive benefits one can gain from turning it into a pill and consuming it, it is so scarce on this continent that one would be lucky to find one in the span of 3 years. Only elders and the prime disciple would have access to such delights.

Now this boy that still reeks of milk* is demanding such a thing as if it was nothing. The worst part about this transaction is that the Hou Tiger skull is actually worth more!

Instructor Wang repressed his fury into his clenched fists and replied to Tian Longmeng. "Unfortunately, I do not have a White Fire Chrysanthemum in my possession or else I would happily oblige."

"Oh, no biggie. Then if you have a 1000 Year Spirit Vine, that would be acceptable as well." Tian Longmeng shrugged off the value of the White Fire Chrysanthemum like it was nothing.

At this point, Instructor Wang was teeming with fury. Everyone around him subconsciously took a step backward to avoid his heavy aura.

Instructor Wang actually had a 1000 Year Spirit Vine, but it would be safe to say that this was his most valuable possession. He had to toll through many dangers in the Botanical Exhibition Zone for him to even grab it. Then this child in front of him wanted to yank it from his hands?

Instructor Wang was going to let Tian Longmeng off before he embarrassed himself, but since he was so willing to give away his Hou Tiger skull, then might as well it falls into Instructor Wang's hands.

"Sure let me see how much you have mastered this skill." Instructor Wang agreed to the bet, much to the surprise of everyone.

They could not understand why an Instructor would bet and quarrel with a new disciple, but Tian Longmeng knew the answer. Instructor Wang could not fight the allure of the Hou Tiger skull, but even more, he lost to his blind anger and pride.

He could not stand that a child would claim to be better at him and was so confident to bet seriously on it. If Instructor Wang allowed this to pass, he would have lost a lot of face. This was something that rubbed on his pride the wrong way.

Tian Longmeng smiled and proceeded to perform the art like how Elder Canglong told him. He did not actually know the cultivation skill obviously, but Elder Canglong told him to perform these six movements in order while performing the breathing technique the Ark of the Majesty gave him.

Tian Longmeng did just that; and while at first, nothing happened, not long after, the entire atmosphere became dense with essence. Everyone was alarmed. To believe that Tian Longmeng was drawing in this much essence, its strength is almost on par with a Mortal Grand-Apprentice.

Some even were speculating if this is what he used to gain first place in the Pagoda Test. After all, that would explain a lot of things.

However, Instructor Wang had a whole different reaction. His face when ghastly white upon the sight of Tian Longmeng's movements itself. They were so fluid that at some point you could even glimpse a seventh or eighth movement.

Not only that, he does not take any large gulps of breath during the process. It is like the technique was tailored for him.

In truth, the perception of mastery for this was fully dependent on his breathing technique. All Tian Longmeng did was to move in a similar manner and allow the circulation of essence in his body to direct the motion properly.

"Wow, this breathing technique is really superb," Tian Longmeng inwardly praised. He already knew that it had to be special since he received it from just staring at the Ark of the Majesty for a while. Yet, he did not know that using it outside of meditation would still increase his cultivation by this much.

Tian Longmeng could only imagine what stage he would be at if he had done this since he left the Profound Cave. Maybe Si Xuexi would not be able to get an edge over him.

As he finished the display, he noticed that he was already well past the Mid Mortal Practitioner Realm and was firmly in the Late Mortal Practitioner Realm. If he was to take the Inducing Strength Pill now, he could easily make a breakthrough towards the Mortal Apprentice Realm. Tian Longmeng made a note to always use the breathing technique.

When he directed his attention away from himself, he noticed the mesmerized disciples and the distraught yet amazed instructor. The edge of Tian Longmeng's lips curved upwards and he chuckled. "So I will be expecting my 1000 Year Spirit Vine. Also, I would rather spend most of my time in the library so I will have to politely decline the lectures. Sorry about that."

With that, he left heading to the library.