"A contest of skill, you say…" Li Xiuwen said in a level voice. His face showed no emotion, but his calm eyes made Mu Rong Jian feel as if he were being seen right through.
"That's right, friend," Mu Rong Jian replied with a confident tone. "I believe this is the fairest way. The one who is stronger will get it."
"And what if I refuse the duel?" Li Xiuwen said in a tone that caused Mu Rong Jian to pause slightly. "A fight in the middle of a market like this would be of no benefit to either of us. It would also reveal our true power for others to see… which I think would be unwise."
Li Xiuwen showed no hostility, but his words were full of logic that was hard to refute. Mu Rong Jian himself realized that a public fight might draw the attention of the city's powerful figures, which he had been trying to avoid.
"Then what do you want?" Mu Rong Jian said, his tone shifting slightly. From confidence, it was now filled with curiosity.
"I want this piece of Starlight-Fallen Ore," Li Xiuwen replied directly. "But I will not fight you."
"If you won't duel, then what do you suggest I do?" Mu Rong Jian asked with a challenging smile. "Do you want me to just take my sword and seize it from you?"
Li Xiuwen did not answer with words, but instead presented a surprising offer.
"I know you are a person of great talent in the way of the sword, and you want this ore to forge a stronger blade, am I right?" Li Xiuwen said. "Meanwhile, I have a strange and unconventional technique that cannot be revealed to anyone. But what I need are resources to enhance my own strength."
"I don't understand what you're trying to say," Mu Rong Jian said with a serious expression.
"What are you proposing?"
"I know you are joining the Underground Tournament to get the ancient sword manual," Li Xiuwen continued. "And I only want the rare resources from this tournament… So why don't we cooperate?"
"Cooperate, you say…" Mu Rong Jian muttered to himself in surprise. "Since we both want something valuable from this tournament, what do you want me to do?"
Li Xiuwen smiled faintly before picking up the Starlight-Fallen Ore in his hand.
"You give this ore to me… and I will guarantee that you get the ancient sword manual from this tournament for sure," Li Xiuwen said with a confidence that was impossible to argue with.
"This offer… is that even possible?" Mu Rong Jian asked, his voice full of uncertainty. "What if you betray me later?"
"It's fine if you don't trust me," Li Xiuwen replied directly. "But think about it carefully… if I wanted to betray you, I would have just taken this ore from you in the first place, not made an offer like this."
Li Xiuwen's words were true. Mu Rong Jian considered his offer carefully. He looked at Li Xiuwen's calm eyes and felt that this man was not lying.
"Alright, my friend. I accept this offer," Mu Rong Jian said with a bright smile. "Since you have chosen to trust me, I will trust you as well."
"Good," Li Xiuwen replied with a single word before handing the Starlight-Fallen Ore to Mu Rong Jian. "Even though I want it, your talent in the way of the sword and your determination to improve are things that should be supported."
Mu Rong Jian received the ore from Li Xiuwen's hand with a feeling of surprise and respect. He didn't think anyone would give away something so precious to someone they had just met so easily.
"You… why would you give this valuable item to me?" Mu Rong Jian asked with confusion.
"I'm not giving it to you for free," Li Xiuwen replied in a serious tone. "I'm simply investing in someone with potential… And one day, I will definitely call in my reward from you."
Mu Rong Jian laughed softly. He wasn't offended by the words. Instead, he felt that Li Xiuwen was much more straightforward and interesting than he had initially thought.
"My name is Mu Rong Jian," Mu Rong Jian said, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, friend."
"Li Xiuwen," Li Xiuwen replied, lightly shaking Mu Rong Jian's hand. But in his mind, he had already made a silent vow to make full use of this young man's talent.