Zhao Chen and Li Feng exchanged a glance.
Everything was going back exactly as they had planned.
They had successfully goaded Bai Zihan into accepting the wager, and now all that remained was for Li Feng to crush him in front of everyone.
Once that happened, not only would they stop the marriage alliance between the Bai Clan and the Chu Clan, but Bai Zihan would become the biggest laughingstock in the entire empire.
Li Feng smirked, his confidence returning in full force.
He stepped forward and swept his gaze over the hall.
"Since we've settled the wager, let's not waste any more time," he declared.
His aura surged, sending a sharp pressure through the air. His battle intent burned like a flame, ready to erupt at any moment.
"Bai Zihan, let's begin!"
However, Bai Zihan didn't move.
He remained seated, propping his cheek lazily against his palm, his expression relaxed—almost bored.
"What's wrong? Have you changed your mind?"
His voice turned mocking.
"Don't tell me—you're scared?"
However, Bai Zihan merely chuckled.
His lips curled into a smirk as he tilted his head lazily.
"You think I'd be afraid of someone like you?"
Li Feng's expression darkened.
It seemed like, in front of Bai Zihan, his reputation was useless. Bai Zihan has not been taking him seriously at all from the very beginning.
Being disregarded by a waste was something he didn't like, but he endured it.
He thought that soon he would make Bai Zihan regret this moment and etch into his memory just who he was.
"Then why aren't you coming here?"
Bai Zihan sighed as if he were dealing with a bunch of fools. Then, he stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Before we start, I have a question."
His voice was calm, almost lazy, yet it instantly silenced the hall.
"The Heaven-grade artifact."
Bai Zihan tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair.
Li Feng's expression stiffened slightly before he scoffed.
"I'll give it to you after you win."
Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? So you're saying I have to fight first, win, and then just trust that you'll hand it over?"
He let out a short laugh.
"Do I look that gullible to you?"
Bai Zihan's words made sense.
No one in their right mind would bet something as valuable as a Heaven-grade artifact without first seeing proof that the prize even existed.
However, this was Li Feng—someone from the prestigious Li Clan—and he had made the bet in front of all these people, including his own clan leader and the leaders of top clans in the Desolate Heaven Empire.
Unless Li Feng was a scammer or wanted Li Clan's reputation to plummet, there was no way he would break his promise.
But Bai Zihan didn't seem to consider any of that.
He was treating Li Feng like a scammer.
"Are you doubting my words?"
Indeed, Bai Zihan was completely disregarding Li Feng's status and reputation. He didn't care about giving him any face at all.
"Call me cautious, but I can't just take your word for it. For all I know, you're just making empty promises. So, if the Heaven-grade artifact isn't out in the open before the fight begins..."
"I'll assume you were lying."
Li Feng wanted nothing more than to smack the smirk off Bai Zihan's face—but he couldn't.
Moreover, since he had never planned to lose, he had seen no need to take out the Heaven-grade artifact.
Without it, Bai Zihan clearly wasn't going to fight.
He glanced at Zhao Chen, signaling his intent.
Since Zhao Chen had promised to provide the Heaven-grade artifact, it was now his decision to make.
By now, Zhao Chen was furious, his emotions barely hidden behind his expression.
This Bai Zihan was seriously irritating him beyond belief.
To think that a mere weakling could force him into this situation!
Zhao Chen had no choice.
He reached into his storage ring and reluctantly pulled out an artifact.
Although he knew he would get it back, he couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance as the Heaven-grade artifact left his grasp.
The moment Zhao Chen handed the artifact to Li Feng, a powerful energy fluctuation rippled through the hall.
The crowd's eyes widened in shock.
A burst of hushed murmurs spread like wildfire.
The artifact Li Feng now held was the Celestial Feather Fan—a legendary Heaven-grade treasure and one of the Zhao Clan's most prized heirlooms.
Even the most seasoned cultivators in the hall couldn't suppress their astonishment.
"The Celestial Feather Fan... That's one of the Zhao Clan's most powerful treasures!"
"I heard it was refined using the feathers of a Divine Sky Roc! It grants incredible wind-based abilities and can even summon storms."
"This proves how confident they are. Zhao Chen must be certain that Bai Zihan will lose, or he'd never risk it."
The awe in their voices was undeniable.
A Heaven-grade artifact wasn't just powerful—it was an inheritance-level treasure that most clans wouldn't part with under any circumstances.
Even high-ranking elders of major clans wouldn't necessarily own one, yet Zhao Chen had actually taken one out for a mere wager.
Moreover, it was incredible that a junior, although genius, had obtained a Heaven-grade artifact.
This just showed the incredible achievements and contributions Zhao Chen had made for the Zhao Clan.
Bai Zihan's expression didn't change, but his fingers tapped lazily against the armrest.
Zhao Chen clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain calm. His expression was dark, but he still managed a smile.
"There, you've seen the Heaven-grade artifact."
Li Feng held up the Celestial Feather Fan with a cold smirk.
"Now, will you finally step forward?"
His voice carried arrogance, as if the result was already predetermined.
Bai Zihan glanced at the fan, then back at Li Feng.
His lips curled into a smirk.
Li Feng's eyes widened.
Bai Zihan's expression was utterly shameless.
"Think of it as advance payment. If you win, I'll give it back."
Zhao Chen couldn't decide whether to be furious or admire Bai Zihan's audacity.
He had never been forced this much in his life.
Not only had he been made to wager one of his most prized possessions, but now Bai Zihan wanted the Celestial Feather Fan in his hands before even fighting?
Just how shameless could one person be?
Li Feng didn't know what to do. Since the artifact wasn't his, it wasn't his decision to make. He simply waited for Zhao Chen's response.
Zhao Chen exhaled sharply. He had already made too many concessions. Letting Bai Zihan hold the fan for a few minutes wouldn't make a difference.
"Give it to him," Zhao Chen said through gritted teeth.
Li Feng hesitated but eventually walked up to Bai Zihan and handed over the Celestial Feather Fan.
He said with disdain.
Then, in front of everyone, he casually placed the Celestial Feather Fan inside his storage ring—as if it had belonged to him all along.
Li Feng's expression twitched.
He asked, his irritation barely concealed.
Bai Zihan stretched lazily before finally rising to his feet.
His lips curled into a confident smirk.
"Get ready to be trashed!"