“Feng Chen, you certainly have a bold spirit,” remarked a cultivator. “It seems you have full confidence in Daoist Brother Feng Mu. Given that he possesses the special Thunder God Emperor Body and can command the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, it’s very likely he will achieve the Longevity Immortal Realm in the future. His chances of winning this time are quite high. It looks like Tai Hua’s Holy Son is bound to lose. Fellow Daoists who haven’t placed their bets, hurry up!”
Yan Zhiqiu zealously praised Feng Mu.
After Feng Chen placed his bet and with Yan Zhiqiu fanning the flames, more and more cultivators gambled that Feng Mu would win. The proportion of cultivators betting on Feng Mu soared beyond ninety-five percent.
Seeing this, Han Jie urged the Han Family Ancestor, “Ancestor, this is our opportunity. With Feng Mu’s talent, defeating Lu Changsheng is a sure thing. Why don’t we bet as much as we can? Not only can we humiliate Lu Changsheng, but we can also make a tidy profit.”
Though the Han Family Ancestor was slightly hesitant, he still gritted his teeth, took out a batch of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and placed them all on Feng Mu’s victory.
The Han Family Ancestor’s lavish bet incited even greater frenzy among the onlookers, who rushed to place their wagers.
“I bet on Junior Brother Lu.”
Zhao Wuyan could no longer stand by. Why should Feng Mu be able to defeat Lu Changsheng?
Zhao Wuyan nearly emptied his entire wealth, putting it all on Lu Changsheng.
“I also bet on Junior Brother Lu.”
Li Changye appeared and placed his bet on Lu Changsheng.
Supporters like Shangguan Zhao’er and Lin Qinghan, who comprised the backup team, also joined Yan Zhiqiu’s betting circle, all showing support for Lu Changsheng.
They had all witnessed Lu Changsheng defeat one strong opponent after another without ever suffering a loss, so it was possible he could indeed beat Feng Mu.
“I will offer five seventeenth-ranked Immortal Pills and the Jade Hairpin bestowed upon me by the Mother of the Yaochi.”
A graceful figure appeared; Guanghan’s Holy Maiden, Xia Ningxue, unexpectedly placed her bet as well, wagering lavishly to support Lu Changsheng.
The crowd was once again astir.
Discerning people could see that Feng Mu was highly likely to win. Xia Ningxue’s hefty support for Lu Changsheng suggested she might not be looking at the win or loss but rather fighting for Lu Changsheng’s pride.
“Heh heh, these five seventeenth-ranked Immortal Pills and the Jade Hairpin from the Mother of the Yaochi seem destined to be divided among us who bet on Feng Mu,” said a cultivator gleefully.
“Seventeenth-ranked Immortal Pills – I don’t fancy them; you guys can split them up. I just want that Jade Hairpin. It might even carry the fragrance of a fairy.”
“Fellow Daoist, your taste is a bit questionable…” another remarked.
Those who bet on Feng Mu whispered among themselves, fully expecting Xia Ningxue’s treasures to go down the drain.
“I also bet on Lu Changsheng winning.”
A talented individual carrying a Longsword appeared, recognized as the Banished Sword Immortal from Primordial Holy Land.
The Banished Sword Immortal wagered three seventeenth-ranked Immortal Pills.
Having witnessed Lu Changsheng use the Reversed Spirit Immortal Pill and the Taiyin Goddess Talisman in the Demon Realm, he believed Lu Changsheng to be an extraordinary individual and was willing to bank on him this time.
“We bet on our master.”
Lu Qinglian, accompanied by a group of junior brothers and sisters, brought out various treasures and all bet on Lu Changsheng.
They could not afford to lose momentum.
Lin Qingzhi did not join in, not because he distrusted Lu Changsheng, but because he trusted his master too much to care for these transactions.
“I bet on Tai Hua’s Holy Son too.”
Yaochi’s Holy Maiden, Liu Yiyi, opted to support Lu Changsheng due to Dugu Aotian’s influence. However, with her parents present, Liu Yiyi only dared to bet one sixteenth-ranked Immortal Pill.
Liu Mufeng and Feng Qing’er exchanged glances.
Feng Qing’er telepathically communicated to Liu Mufeng, “Did you know early on that Yiyi was smitten with the disciple of Tai Hua’s Holy Son?”
Liu Mufeng smiled wryly, “Qing’er, we elders better not meddle in these matters. As the son of that man, Dugu Aotian’s character should not be problematic.”
Feng Qing’er snorted coldly, “But he also has half the bloodline of that Demon Chief. If he completely succumbs to his demonic nature, the consequences could be unthinkable.”
“Such matters are beyond our control now, and I can’t predict the future either,” Liu Mufeng said with a sigh.
“Hmph.”
Feng Qing’er fell silent.
With talents like Xia Ningxue, Li Changye, and the Banished Sword Immortal betting on Lu Changsheng to win, the proportion of cultivators supporting Lu Changsheng rose again, reaching ninety percent.
“Tch, bothersome,” Yan Zhiqiu grumbled to himself.
He had been vigorously promoting Feng Mu to drive up the betting odds on Lu Changsheng’s side, but to his chagrin, Lu Changsheng had far more supporters than he had anticipated.
“Alright, that’s enough, we’re closing the books!”
Seeing that Feng Mu and Lu Changsheng were about to clash, Yan Zhiqiu signaled for a disciple from Kunlun Holy Land to step forward just before closing the bets.
“I bet on Lu Changsheng to win!”
This disciple, having received a hint from Yan Zhiqiu, bet all of the treasures Yan Zhiqiu had given him in advance on Lu Changsheng’s victory!
Originally, the treasures bet on Feng Mu amounted to about ninety percent, but with the disciples of Kunlun taking action, now it only accounted for eighty percent.
The cultivators making bets were dumbfounded.
Could this even be done?
The Holy Land of Kunlun was actually supporting Lu Changsheng!
That’s not right, why was Yan Zhiqiu praising Lu Changsheng just now?
Oh no, I’ve been had!
“Heh heh, betting is closed.”
Yan Zhiqiu revealed a triumphant expression.
He had played a little trick this time, though it was also somewhat risky.
Yan Zhiqiu believed in Lu Changsheng, and he only dared to hint at the Kunlun disciple to take action after increasing Lu Changsheng’s odds. If Lu Changsheng lost, Yan Zhiqiu would lose even his underwear in the bet.
But the greater the risk, the higher the reward.
If Lu Changsheng won, then he, Yan Zhiqiu, would become rich overnight.
Yan Zhiqiu had carefully studied Lu Changsheng, this potential opponent, and discovered that Lu Changsheng always managed to turn danger into safety at critical moments. Since he dared to accept Feng Mu’s challenge, it meant Lu Changsheng was confident.
“Brother Lu, everything is riding on you now, don’t let me down. I really don’t want to leave the Yaochi Gathering wearing nothing but my underwear,”
Yan Zhiqiu bet all his possessions on Lu Changsheng, hoping that Lu Changsheng could make him rich overnight.
Changliu the Immortal, speaking to Chongxu Daoist, said, “Chongxu, your disciple really knows how to play.”
Chongxu Daoist helplessly touched his forehead, “This disciple of mine has always been like this by nature. When he became an Earth Immortal, I was too strict with him, and he ran away from home, escaping from the Kunlun Mountains to wander the world. Only after he was defeated by a Tree Demon did he sulkily return to Kunlun Mountains. Since then, I also don’t dare to be too strict.”
“Oh? It seems this child’s talent is not bad, otherwise, with your temperament, you wouldn’t have softened.”
Changliu the Immortal knew that the Purple Void Palace in Kunlun Mountains was quite strict in disciplining disciples; thus, the Palace produced extraordinary talents almost every era, with quite a few ranking in the top ten geniuses of their time.
The only reason Chongxu Daoist would tolerate Yan Zhiqiu’s antics was if Yan Zhiqiu’s talent was truly exceptional.
It was like how a teacher might be more lenient with an honor student—as long as the grades were outstanding, whether or not homework was done didn’t matter much.
“Correct, this child’s talent is not inferior to that of Feng Mu.”
“What?”
Changliu the Immortal’s body shook.
For Chongxu Daoist to offer such high praise was extraordinary.
Yan Zhiqiu being established as the Holy Son of Kunlun was most likely another unparalleled genius of an era.
It was just that even Changliu the Immortal couldn’t see through the unconventionally acting Yan Zhiqiu’s high level of talent.
While Changliu the Immortal was conversing with Chongxu Daoist, the competition between Lu Changsheng and Feng Mu officially began.
Feng Mu gestured with his left hand, and the Immortal Sword behind him soared into the sky!
This was an azure-colored Immortal Sword, emitting dazzling, radiant sword light that pierced the sky and whipped up the wind and clouds!
Boom!
In an instant, there was lightning and thunder, with thunderous roars filling the air. Nine Heavens Divine Thunder resonated with the Immortal Sword, as Chaos Divine Thunder took the shape of a dragon, encircling the sword light.
Engraved on the body of the Immortal Sword were the characters “Lingye.”
“A-A Superior Emperor Soldier—Lingye!”
“It is said that this Immortal Sword from the Ancient Feng Family can command Nine Heavens Divine Thunder and restrain all defilement, and it once slayed over a dozen Great Accomplished Immortal Emperors of Demon Chiefs and Great Demons.”
“The Ancient Feng Family really is extravagant, to grant a Superior Emperor Soldier to a Preliminary Immortal Emperor. Can he fully wield the power of a Superior Emperor Soldier?”
“He is the number one genius of the Ancient Feng Family; even if he cannot wholly unleash the power of the Lingye Immortal Sword, even just fifty percent of its power would be more than enough for an ordinary Preliminary Immortal Emperor to contend with. Worse comes to worst, the Holy Son of Tai Hua might be utterly obliterated!”
The majority of the cultivators were shocked by the treasure Feng Mu had brought forth.
“Not good, I underestimated the importance the Ancient Feng Family places on Feng Mu. Now I’m going to lose my underwear…”
Yan Zhiqiu realized that as soon as Feng Mu took action, he brought out a Superior Emperor Soldier and felt he had been tricked.
The treasures he bet on Lu Changsheng to win included many that he had borrowed from several senior brothers.