"However, the Ninth Lord stated that the portion set aside for the Vice Sect Master Yan must all be top grade. The Vice Sect Master Yan would never accept those middle or low-grade items; bringing them would be an insult."

"Therefore, we gathered twenty thousand top grades to send to the Vice Sect Master Yan."

Anyway, since the people of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect aren’t supervising the mining, they can just claim whatever they want. Say whatever pleases them.

"Additionally, there is a letter written specifically for you by the Ninth Lord."

Yang Luoyu took a letter out from his chest pocket, bowed, and offered it with both hands.

The bow was not to show respect to Yan Nan but to the person who wrote the letter.

Yan Nan snorted, waved his hand, and the letter fell into his palm. He opened it for a look. The words of Dongfang Sansan were very polite and detailed about the mining process, specifically highlighting that this mining was personally overseen by the Ningxue Sword and the Emotion Cutting Saber.

Meaning, even if you don’t trust me, surely you can trust those two, right?

Given their reputation in Jianghu, they would absolutely never shortchange the quantities. These two, their integrity is impeccable!

Yan Nan was filled with resentment as he read.

What relationship do I have with them? On what grounds should I trust them? Aren’t they aligned with you? Do you think I don’t know?

This Dongfang Sansan actually uses reputation and integrity as his argument.

Integrity? You have never shown that to me!

Especially at the end of the letter, Dongfang Sansan raised an issue that drew the Vice Sect Master Yan’s attention.

Dongfang Sansan suggested in the letter that the two sides host a friendly competition for the younger generation, proposing that each side offer prizes.

For the winners, generous rewards would be provided.

It was also specifically mentioned that the competition could be divided into several levels; namely, Marquis, King level, and Emperor level.

Then, he humbly explained that this would be a training and a chance for the geniuses on the Guardian side to understand their opponents.

It would also be an opportunity for the geniuses of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect to understand their opponents.

Furthermore, it’s a chance for mutual martial practice.

After all, the future world is theirs, and so on...

Then he continued elaborating, stressing that many talents have emerged from our Martial Arts Academy, such as so-and-so, so-and-so...

He then highly praised the talent pool on the Demon Sect side, mentioning Yan Beihan in the top spot, Chen Yin, and others... all who are distinguished; even mentioning subordinate sects having many geniuses, like Yemo... etc.

Lastly, he sincerely proposed that since there is currently no warfare, we could have a friendly match. Better to be prepared and beware, sitting idly serves no purpose, and so on...

This letter left Yan Nan stunned.

The first reaction was: Damn! Dongfang Sansan’s tone in this letter sounds as if the two sides are in an alliance, and between the lines, there’s a sense of intimacy and warmth.

Am I really that close with you? Are we really that friendly?

What’s your goal?

Consider me a friend? Even if you’re willing, I wouldn’t dare... If I consider you a friend, by tomorrow my head will be mounted on the Guardian’s gate...

Then Vice Sect Master Yan’s second reaction was: What kind of trick is Dongfang Sansan pulling now?

Then it became certain: He’s definitely up to something! Digging a pit! Definitely planning to trap me!

But upon reading through it all, there wasn’t any apparent pitfall.

However, Yan Nan had learned his lesson thousands of years ago.

Dealing with Dongfang Sansan, you must never agree to whatever he proposes.

This bastard plays mind games with intertwining schemes, truly impossible to outwit. The losses suffered over the years, Yan Nan doesn’t wish to recall.

But the suggestion for a duel among the younger generation, however, was clearly a challenge letter.

If not responding, it might weaken the momentum.

Especially for the young, losing momentum is almost akin to deflating. Moreover, Yan Nan has every confidence of victory!

"I need to discuss this matter with the other Vice Sect Masters before replying to your Ninth Lord."

Yan Nan was undecided.

He could be sure that Dongfang Sansan had an ulterior motive.

If he agreed, a trap was certainly waiting for him, but after much thought, he couldn’t discern where the trap was, which was the most frustrating part.

"Alright. Then I will report back to the Ninth Lord and wait for the Vice Sect Master Yan’s news."

Yan Nan snorted and said: "Yang Luoyu, you are also in the Cloud Weapon List, and yet Dongfang Sansan sent you over. If you were to die here, it would be a great loss for the Guardians."

Yang Luoyu chuckled: "The so-called Cloud Weapon List is merely a gimmick. People like the Vice Sect Master Yan, indeed it’s just a joke. Even powerful figures such as the Vice Sect Master Yan, Vice Sect Master Chen, and our Ninth Lord, none of you are on the Cloud Weapon List, we all know what that implies."

"It’s just a ranking to encourage the lower-level martial artists to work harder in their cultivation; otherwise, with so many Outer World Mountain Sect peak experts, how is it not a single one is on the list?"

Yang Luoyu smiled calmly and said: "Besides, I am only here because the Ninth Lord assigned me to deliver the items to the Vice Sect Master Yan; if I die here, the Ninth Lord would only be delighted."

Yan Nan’s face darkened: "Are you implying I would be displeased?"

"That depends on how Vice Sect Master Yan sees it."

Yang Luoyu smiled faintly: "I’ve come openly, and will leave openly! If anyone wants to kill me, just come. I won’t even fight back!"

Yan Nan laughed heartily: "What courage!"

He pointed to the pile of Purple Crystal and said: "Even though I know this is Dongfang Sansan trying to fool me, I will accept it nonetheless."