The Whale in the Mountains

Chapter 81 The Girl Next Door

“Who the hell are you calling a good-for-nothing?” Hearing Chen Xiao call him that, Zuo Youren couldn't hold back any longer, angrily pointing his finger at Chen Xiao.

“Whoever answers is who I’m talking about,” Chen Xiao said playfully, looking at Zuo Youren.

“You… you’re very good.” Zuo Youren forcibly suppressed the urge to attack, gritting his teeth as he spoke, “Looks like you really think you’re a genius. Whether you’re a genius or an idiot will be clear soon enough. I can't be bothered wasting my breath with you.”

Zuo Youren thought that Chen Xiao would soon make a complete fool of himself in front of everyone, so what did it matter if he let him be quick-tongued for now?

The smile in Chen Xiao’s eyes deepened as he said with a grin, “Looks like you’re pretty confident. Coincidentally, I’m quite confident in myself too. How about we make a bet? If this Enchantment Array Talisman of mine is real, you lose two thousand gold coins to me. Do you dare?”

“Bet it is! What do I have to be afraid of? But what if you lose?” Zuo Youren couldn't stand being provoked like this and agreed immediately.

“If I lose, you can name your terms.” Chen Xiao said this because he knew he wouldn't lose.

“Good, if you lose, I’ll take your life!” Zuo Youren had long harbored murderous intent. If Lan Qing'er hadn't been present, he would have already made his move.

“It’s a deal.” Chen Xiao still had a calm expression on his face, an expression that appeared completely clueless to the onlookers.

Xiao Liu Zi was already numb to Chen Xiao's words, his head a complete mess. Right now, he just wished that all of this was just a dream.

Lan Qing'er was also extremely annoyed, her delicate nose slightly wrinkled as she widened her eyes and said to Chen Xiao, "Why are you so unreasonable?"

Lan Qing'er thought she had already given him enough face, but he completely disregarded it. Now he even wanted to bet his life with someone. She had mistakenly thought he was brave, but he was just reckless.

Chen Xiao wasn’t angry, he could tell that Lan Qing'er was being kind. He still said with a smile, “I definitely won't lose, Miss Lan. You can test it if you like.”

“I don’t know where you get your confidence from?” Lan Qing'er muttered quietly. However, seeing Chen Xiao's persistence, she could only helplessly say, “Then I’ll give it a try. Everyone here can be a witness.”

Although Lan Qing'er was angry that Chen Xiao didn't appreciate her kindness, she wouldn’t just stand by and watch Zuo Youren kill him. She had already decided to let Chen Xiao embarrass himself to teach him a lesson. When the time came, if Zuo Youren really wanted to kill him, she would still step in to save him.

With a *clang*, Lan Qing'er drew the sword in her hand. A flash of cold light made everyone secretly praise "What a good sword!" However, right now, the bet between Chen Xiao and Zuo Youren was much more attractive to them than this precious sword. After all, onlookers always enjoyed a good show.

Lan Qing'er had seen her father enchant weapons before, so she understood how to use Enchantment Array Talismans. She held the sword in one hand and slowly placed the talisman on the sword with the other. Everyone held their breath, afraid of missing anything, and watched this scene with wide eyes.

The array talismans that Chen Xiao had mastered were mainly divided into two categories: function array talismans and enchantment array talismans. Function array talismans were consumable items, such as the Entrapment Array (困阵) he had used against Chen Feng before.

The other type was the enchantment array talisman. Enchantment array talismans could enchant weapons and armor. After being enchanted, the power of the weapon and the defense of the armor would be greatly improved.

The lowest level for enchantment array talismans was fourth-grade. In everyone's eyes, Chen Xiao saying that he had drawn an enchantment array talisman was no different from a fantasy.

But what happened next shocked everyone. After Lan Qing'er placed the talisman on the sword, a dazzling blue light flashed, and then the entire talisman disappeared. An ancient pattern appeared on the previously shimmering blade.

Lan Qing'er saw clearly that this pattern was exactly the same as the rune pattern drawn on the talisman. A huge wave arose in her heart. This was actually a real enchantment array talisman!

At this moment, bursts of dragon roars came from the sword, and its surroundings were filled with boundless fighting intent, making people feel chills.

Although most people had never seen an enchantment array talisman, all the strange phenomena on the sword indicated that the talisman drawn by this young man was definitely an enchantment array talisman.

This young man was actually an array talisman master! And a four-star array talisman master! Such a young four-star array talisman master was unprecedented in the entire Tianfeng Kingdom, no, perhaps in the entire Dragon Martial Continent.

At this moment, everyone was silent, but this didn't mean that they were indifferent. On the contrary, everyone's hearts were boiling. It was just that they were too shocked and didn't know how to react.

"This is impossible! This kid must be a swindler!" Zuo Youren roared angrily. He couldn't believe everything in front of him. His array talisman skills were taught by his grandfather himself. He had been immersed in it since he was a child, and now he could only draw second-grade array talismans. How could this young man be capable of drawing fourth-grade array talismans of the same level as his grandfather when he looked even younger than him? He couldn't believe it.

But the truth was right in front of him, so he had to believe it. No one echoed his roar. One was a domineering纨绔子弟 *wan ku zi di* (good-for-nothing son of a wealthy family), and the other was a young man who could draw fourth-grade array talismans. Comparing the two, the difference was obvious. The more Zuo Youren shouted and made a fuss, the more he was looked down upon.

Lan Qing'er felt ashamed when she thought about her attitude towards Chen Xiao just now. Suppressing the shock in her heart, she said to Chen Xiao, "This young woman was blind and offended you, sir. Please don't blame me."

Chen Xiao never blamed Lan Qing'er. He smiled and said, "Miss Lan, you're overthinking it. It's my honor that you can use my array talisman. You don't have to call me 'sir' all the time, just call me Chen Xiao."

Hearing this, Lan Qing'er's impression of Chen Xiao improved a lot. He was young but possessed top-notch array talisman skills, and he could remain calm and composed. It was truly commendable. Her little face slightly flushed as she continued, "Your array talisman has already been used by me, but it's too precious. I can't take it for nothing. How much does this cost? Just consider it as me buying it."

At this moment, everyone also reacted. That's right, previously, only Zuo Qiuming in the entire Tianfeng Kingdom could draw fourth-grade array talismans, but his fourth-grade array talismans were never sold. Ordinary people couldn't buy them even if they had money.

If Chen Xiao really took out enchantment array talismans for sale, then… Thinking of this, everyone's eyes turned green. In this world where martial arts were supreme, having strength meant having everything. And the improvement in strength that enchantment array talismans provided was not just a small amount.

Chen Xiao waved his hand and said sternly, "I said I'd give it to you, how can I take money for it?"

"Then this young woman won't stand on ceremony. If you need anything from me in the future, just ask." Seeing Chen Xiao's sincere words, Lan Qing'er didn't decline. Thinking that Chen Xiao could draw fourth-grade array talismans at such a young age, the power behind him must be extraordinary to be able to nurture such a talent. Lan Qing'er also wanted to befriend Chen Xiao.

“That’s the way!” Chen Xiao put on a playful look again, but in his heart, he was saying, ‘You’re already helping me, you just don’t know it.’

The whole incident was like a very loud advertisement for Chen Xiao. Thinking of this, Chen Xiao had to thank Zuo Youren. If it wasn't for his reckless fueling of the flames, the effect might not have been so good.

Chen Xiao had long noticed the desire for enchantment array talismans in everyone's eyes. A smile appeared on his face as he cupped his fist and said, "Everyone, you've all seen the authenticity of the enchantment array talismans. Starting tomorrow, enchantment array talismans will be available for sale. If you need them, you are welcome to come and purchase them."