Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 284 Challenge
Ning Fei asked, "What bet?"

Huang Tian said, "No matter where she escapes to, I can find her and make her a caged bird again. If you want to avoid that, there are two directions."

"Firstly, we can leverage her bloodline power to allow her to control her own bloodline and avoid the influence I exert. This way, she won't be completely helpless, and she'll be less of a burden to you."

"Secondly, start with me. If you kill me, or if you can stop me every time, you can keep her out of trouble."

"The bet I'm making with you has a simple condition: if you stay by my side, I'll stop targeting her."

Ning Fei said, "As long as I'm by your side, you naturally won't have the energy to target her, so what's the point of gambling?"

Huang Tian laughed, "I haven't finished yet. Ning Fei, during the time you've been following me, you can challenge me at any time, no matter what I'm doing or what state I'm in. As long as you can defeat me, I will not only stop targeting that woman, but I will also give her a great opportunity that will allow her phoenix bloodline to reach a higher level. With this opportunity, I will completely lose the means to control her, and your weakness will become even more difficult to exploit."

"Has my sincerity been sufficient?"

Ning Fei said, "If I can challenge you anytime, anywhere, does that mean I can challenge you even when you are in seclusion, or even when you are fighting with others?"

Huang Tian said, "That's right, anytime is fine. As long as you win, I will free her from my control and make her stronger than she is now, thus eliminating this weakness of yours. At that time, this bet will be completely over, and you can go wherever you want without having to stay by my side anymore."

As the saying goes, it's not the thief you should fear, but the one who has his eye on you. This Huang Tian actually offered Ning Fei such generous terms to become the thief who had always coveted him, thus placing his own future, for countless years to come, in a situation where he could be challenged at any moment. This reveals an immense confidence—a confidence that he would never lose, no matter what.

Huang Tian knew that Ning Fei was an unyielding man, and only by starting with this Phoenix Maiden could he be lured into his trap. If it were a benefit that would bring him personal gain, Ning Fei might not agree, but if it were a great opportunity that would transform the Phoenix Maiden, he would definitely take the bait. Therefore, he was willing to stake part of the Phoenix Treasure Technique on the betting table.

Although Ning Fei had mixed feelings about Huang Tian, ​​he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for him. This invincible confidence truly impressed him.

Ning Fei had no doubt about the great opportunity he spoke of. After all, the fact that the Phoenix Maiden was completely suppressed showed that the other party must have mastered some special secret technique related to the Phoenix lineage. With such a technique, it wouldn't be difficult for her bloodline power to advance again.

But what about the price? He didn't believe Huang Tian would come without any demands. Therefore, Ning Fei immediately asked, "What if I lose? What do you want?"

Huang Tian said, "I know you aspire to prove your Dao and will not be subservient to others. Therefore, my condition is that if you lose even once, you must do something for me. Don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything you can't or don't want to do. Of course, if we draw, then we'll maintain the status quo."

Ning Fei frowned inwardly. Through this series of encounters, he had fully felt how terrifying Huang Tian was. This arrogant, meticulous, sharp-eyed, broad-minded, and exceptionally strong prodigy was definitely the most terrifying person he had ever met.

Now, it seemed Huang Tian was going to great lengths to recruit him into his camp, which sent a chill down Ning Fei's spine. Ning Fei had originally intended not to join any group. On this path to enlightenment, he wanted to walk alone, or at most with another person.

But the bait Huang Tian offered was far too tempting, as it concerned Huang Nu's future. Moreover, Huang Tian's bet greatly fueled Ning Fei's competitive spirit. For Ning Fei, who was single-mindedly focused on attaining enlightenment, avoiding battle was absolutely unacceptable. Since a battle was inevitable sooner or later, and the benefits were so great, why not?
Moreover, if he could defeat his opponent even once, he could completely escape all of this. Even if Huang Tian was truly stronger than him, could he really not win even once? If that were the case, then he wouldn't need to compete for this Dao Proving position; he could just go home.

Phoenix Girl naturally understood Ning Fei's thoughts very well. She quickly grabbed Ning Fei's tattered silver robe and said, "Don't agree to him."

Ning Fei grasped her hand and said, "You don't have faith in me?" The Phoenix Maiden grasped his hand in return and said, "I just don't want you to take any risks for me. This time I've already dragged you into danger; I don't want it to happen a second time. If that's the case, then I'd rather I'd never have embarked on this ancient starry road in the first place."

Ning Fei laughed and said, "This is not only for you, but also for myself. If I cannot defeat him, how can I speak of proving the Dao?"

The Phoenix Maiden said, "But it's too early now. Ning Fei, this Huang Tian, ​​even if he's not a true phoenix, is probably a completely reverted phoenix. I even suspect he's mastered the legendary immortal techniques passed down through the phoenix clan. We..."

Ning Fei touched her face and said, "Don't worry, I've already made plans for this. I guarantee that he absolutely cannot control me, nor can he control you."

The phoenix maiden suddenly paused, looked at Ning Fei with some disbelief, and said, "Since that's the case, then so be it."

Huang Tian felt a surge of irritation as he watched the intimacy between the two. In his mind, what bond could compare to attaining enlightenment and becoming an immortal, or to a glorious cause that would last for millennia? He considered himself an unparalleled genius, born to accomplish great things that others could not; personal feelings were utterly insignificant to him.

Therefore, Ning Fei's indulgence in pleasure made him feel a little angry; it was simply a waste of his life.

Huang Tian couldn't help but say, "Ning Fei, shouldn't you make a decision now?"

Ning Fei dismounted and said to the white celestial horse that had followed him from his hometown, "Take good care of her for me."

The white horse let out a long neigh, carrying the Phoenix Maiden on its back. Its four hooves flashed with silver light, and the sound of its hooves rang out like thunder. The two of them transformed into a streak of light and rushed into the starry sky.

Immediately, Ning Fei pointed his long spear at Huang Tian, ​​his sharp aura fully displayed, and said loudly, "Since you are so kind to me, then I will accept your bet and travel with you for a period of time."

"However, since you have already said that I will challenge you anytime and anywhere, then there is no time like the present. Let's make this first challenge today, right here."

Huang Tian slowly descended, landing in front of Ning Fei. A long sword forged from five-colored immortal gold appeared in his hand, and instantly, sword energy surged forth, clashing with Ning Fei's sharpness.

He said, "You're being a bit too cautious for this woman. Since I've already said I'd let her go, I won't go back on my word. Don't you trust me at all? Only someone like you can make me take things seriously. She's nothing in my eyes."

Ning Fei said, "Let's just say I was being petty and judging others by my own standards. But if it happened again, I would still do the same thing. However, sometimes the people you look down on can bring you some pleasant surprises."

Huang Tian sighed, "If that's really the case, then I'll naturally look at her with new respect. It's a real pity that with this entanglement, will your spear continue to be sharp? Perhaps sooner or later, you'll be burdened by worldly affairs and unable to find liberation."

Ning Fei said, "Everyone has their own ambitions. How do you know that I can't be more outstanding just because I have something on my mind?"

(End of this chapter)