Gambling Match

Gambling Match . . .

In the fading twilight, Qin Qing's gaze remained locked on the retreating figure of the middle-aged man, her eyes brimming with an unmistakable loathing. She turned towards Qin Feng, her voice laden with a mixture of determination and concern, as she implored, "Qin Feng, you must strive tirelessly and become the unyielding pillar of support for our illustrious Qin Clan in the years to come."

A profound nod from Qin Feng signaled his unwavering commitment to this familial duty.

Curiosity piqued, Qin Wentian leaned in, his voice barely a whisper, "Is that man truly your uncle? The bitterness between you two seems unusual for a family relationship."

Qin Qing shook her head gently, her eyes revealing a deeper layer of family history. "No, he is the cousin of my father. According to Grandpa, our parents were the most talented in our clan, attracting the lion's share of resources. This jealousy and envy festered in him over the years. Now, in our generation, it's Qin Feng who possesses the greatest talent. Grandpa, as the head of the clan, dotes on us siblings immensely. This fuels our uncle's constant efforts to drive Qin Feng away."

She paused for a moment, her beautiful face contorted with anger, particularly after the stinging words of her uncle earlier. The pain was palpable.

Qin Wentian leaned in further, eager to hear more. "Qin Qing, please continue."

"Big brother Qin," Qin Feng interjected with a scowl, "It's not just about targeting me. This man harbors sinister intentions, even towards Qin Qing. As she grew older, her beauty became more enchanting, and he shamelessly introduced her to numerous Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants from outside the clan. He even tried to incite strife within the family. Some of those Ascendants were older than Grandpa himself! Just think about how young Qin Qing is."

Qin Feng's rage boiled over, a reflection of his brotherly protectiveness. Qin Wentian, too, was taken aback by the depths of treachery within their family. Who would have imagined that the mind of Qin Feng and Qin Qing's uncle could be so malevolent, sparing not even a young girl?

Qin Wentian issued a solemn warning, "Be vigilant, all of you. This man is not to be underestimated. Avoid any unnecessary contact with him to prevent falling victim to his schemes."

Qin Qing added with a heavy heart, "We've already been ensnared by his plots. Not too long ago, a lecherous man over fifty, immensely powerful, sought to marry me off. If it weren't for Grandpa's firm stance, I would have been forced into marriage by that wretch."

Qin Feng's anger flared at the memory, lamenting his own inadequacy. He wished he possessed the strength to confront his uncle without reservation. If his uncle dared to lay a hand on Qin Qing, he would undoubtedly unleash a torrent of furious blows.

Qin Qing, however, tried to change the subject, blushing with embarrassment. "Qin Qing, let's not dwell on this any longer."

Qin Wentian offered a reassuring smile, his hand gently tousling her hair. "Qin Qing, if you ever face such troubles again, do not hesitate to come to me. I will stand by your side and help you resolve them."

A soft "Okay!" was Qin Qing's response, her trust in Qin Wentian evident in her eyes. While Qin Qing might have been infuriated by others' interference, Qin Wentian's concern was different. She could discern a genuine familial care in his gaze, an unspoken bond that had formed between them over time. She regarded him as a protective older brother.

Qin Feng chimed in, "It's a pity, Big Brother Qin, that you're still so young. If you had cultivated longer, you'd undoubtedly become a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert."

With a knowing smile and a shake of his head, Qin Wentian responded, "You underestimate me, my friend. I've been guiding you in the ways of the Mandates for quite some time now. You should realize that my comprehension of them far surpasses the level of Heavenly Dipper. You simply haven't had much exposure to Ascendants like I have."

The trio continued their conversation, their bonds of kinship and camaraderie growing stronger with each passing day.

The secrets of Qin Wentian's heritage were known to his grandfather, but he kept them closely guarded, a tale shrouded in mystery. It was a carefully concealed truth that Qin Wentian chose not to divulge, even to his closest kin, like Qin Feng. After all, what harm could it do to let Qin Feng and Qin Qing learn from him, oblivious to the deeper layers of his past and potential?

...

The Immorseize Residence stood as the colossal gambling hub of Worryfree City. While their gambling events occurred only once every seven days, their audacity knew no bounds, boldly declaring themselves the largest in the city. They backed this claim by putting up stakes that invariably involved treasures of no less than immortal rank. Take, for instance, the Sky Demon Oracle Bone—an exquisite material capable of forging and refining immortal-ranked weapons. Its worth exceeded even that of an ordinary immortal weapon, with the bone powder alone fetching an exorbitant price on the market.

Despite the city's vastness, immortal-ranked treasures were rare, and so the Infamousize Residence's weekly offerings drew participants from all corners. With branches spanning across the entire Cloud Prefecture, the Infamousize Residence wielded considerable influence in the immortal realms. Rumor had it that an immortal king-level expert was the mastermind behind this establishment.

The Worryfree City branch of the Infamousize Residence was an imposing edifice, its palatial layout radiating an air of majesty. Guardians of formidable strength vigilantly watched over the grand staircase leading into the Residence.

As the day unfolded, a steady stream of experts ascended the stairs, crossing the threshold into the Infamousize Residence.

Among them was Qin Wentian. Despite the vigilant guards, no one obstructed his passage. He climbed the staircase with determination, his eyes soon greeted by a bustling scene of participants registering for the chance to win the coveted Sky Demon Oracle Bone.

"Such a turnout," Qin Wentian mused, his gaze sweeping across the vast courtyard. Today marked the registration for the impending gambling battle, an occasion for contestants to learn the rules and make an informed choice to continue or withdraw. Coercion played no part in this process, and those who lost were bound to honor their wagers.

Outside the grand hall, the sight of countless participants spanned the eye. They came in all shapes and sizes, their cultivation levels predominantly at the Celestial Phenomenon tier. Immortal-ranked experts were a rarity in Worryfree City, elusive figures not easily encountered.

"It appears that many are drawn to the spectacle," Qin Wentian observed silently. Of the throngs present, a substantial portion had been enticed by the allure of the Sky Demon Oracle Bone. Moreover, the full assembly had yet to materialize. The Infamousize Residence was poised for a windfall of monumental proportions.

A sudden commotion pierced the air, drawing the collective gaze of the crowd toward a group of figures approaching. Murmurs and hushed whispers fluttered like gossiping birds.

"Is that Han Luo? What brings him here, eyeing the Sky Demon Oracle Bone? Could he be representing his father's interests?"

"If young master Luo enters the gambling contest, we may as well pack our bags and leave. The Immorseize Residence would have no need for any more participants." Numerous attendees contemplated their prospects. The outcome of these gambling events was not always certain; there were times when the Infamousize Residence found itself on the losing end, usually when a select few participants stood out, prompting others to bow out gracefully.

In the vibrant city of Worryfree, the son of the esteemed military commander, Han Luo, possessed a stature and presence that left little room for competition. Han Luo was known far and wide as a fervent lover of battle, and he boasted an additional layer of invincibility due to his father's position as the city's supreme commander—a status tantamount to that of a city lord.

As Han Luo strode into the bustling crowd, his eyes locked onto a single figure among the throngs, his gaze unwavering. The collective attention of onlookers soon followed his line of sight, ultimately settling upon a young woman who radiated an unmistakable air of elegance. Her beauty was a beacon in the sea of faces, drawing curious glances and whispered recognition.

"Yuyan, you're here, just as I expected," Han Luo declared, his voice projecting authority. Those who observed the exchange couldn't help but marvel at the woman who had captured Han Luo's attention. It was none other than Zhao Yuyan, a name that had already been on the lips of many. With the Sky Demon Oracle Bone's reappearance, it was almost a given that Zhao Yuyan, the esteemed heaven-chosen disciple of the Golden Armor Sect, would make her presence felt.

"Zhao Yuyan—of course!" Some in the crowd couldn't contain their astonishment. The woman before them, the enchanting Zhao Yuyan, had indeed lived up to her reputation. Her master, Golden Armor Immortal, was a revered figure in the realm of divine weapon forging within Worryfree City. It was evident that obtaining the Sky Demon Oracle Bone was imperative, perhaps even a test set forth by her master. The arrival of these two prominent figures signified the impending competition's intensity.

Qin Wentian's keen sense of hearing effortlessly captured the murmurs of the crowd. Although their voices were hushed, their words reached his ears with crystal clarity. It didn't take him long to piece together the identities of these formidable participants. Compared to the Qin Clan, these two individuals hailed from the upper echelons of Worryfree City, their fame preceding them. The battle for the Sky Demon Oracle Bone would undoubtedly be fierce, and claiming it would be no easy feat.

"Haha, Han Luo, are you speaking from your heart? With the Sky Demon Oracle Bone's return, it's only natural for Zhao Yuyan to be here," a resonant voice rang out. A new group of arrivals caught everyone's attention, led by a young man whose gaze settled upon Zhao Yuyan and Han Luo. He chuckled heartily, addressing her directly, "Yuyan, I had a feeling you'd be here, so I hurried over."

"Jiang Feng, looking for an opportunity to woo Zhao Yuyan, are we? It's been years, but your efforts have yet to bear fruit," some observers whispered, aware of Jiang Feng's persistent affections. They marveled at the allure of Zhao Yuyan, the heaven-chosen disciple of the Golden Armor Sect, whose strength and mastery of divine inscriptions matched her unparalleled beauty.

Zhao Yuyan met Jiang Feng's gaze with a dispassionate air, her composure unwavering. Jiang Feng, in turn, harbored no resentment as he shifted his gaze to Han Luo, a hint of rivalry gleaming in his eyes.

In the midst of this gathering, representatives from the Infamousize Residence emerged, tasked with collecting each participant's stake, set at a reasonable ten percent of the Sky Demon Oracle Bone's total value. This process unfolded transparently before the crowd, offering a level playing field. Participants could choose to pay with Yuan Meteor Stones or equivalent treasures, ensuring fairness in the proceedings.

However, many still awaited the Immorseize Residence's official presentation of the gambling match's details before making their final decisions. The crux of the matter lay in whether they deemed themselves capable of securing the Sky Demon Oracle Bone, a weighty factor in their participation choices.

A spokesperson from the Immorseize Residence stepped forward at this juncture, commanding the attention of the assembly. In a confident tone, they announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, this gambling match shall take the form of a formation battle. The ultimate victor will claim the coveted Sky Demon Oracle Bone."

The announcement of a formation battle sent ripples of hope through the gathered participants. Formation battles unfolded within a unique dimension defined by intricate diagrams. Victory depended not only on individual prowess but also on an individual's luck. Those fortunate enough might stumble upon a powerful formation within this mystical realm, greatly augmenting their combat abilities and significantly enhancing their chances of securing the elusive Sky Demon Oracle Bone.

"Formation Battle? I find that intriguing," chimed a voice from the midst of the crowd. As the onlookers turned their attention toward the source, a foreboding sensation gripped their hearts. Who was this enigmatic figure? The mere presence of this individual seemed to cast a shadow over their aspirations. Could it truly be him? If so, their chances of obtaining the Sky Demon Oracle Bone had just taken a significant blow.

Yet, amid the wavering resolve, there were those who stood resolute. Among them, an elderly man clad in dark attire exuded an icy determination. The Sky Demon Oracle Bone was his coveted prize, and he would not tolerate anyone daring to wrest it from his grasp.

Another figure bore blood-red eyes that radiated a malevolent intensity, creating an aura of dread that compelled all to keep their distance.

In the vast realms of immortality, numerous formidable experts lurked, individuals one would be wise not to provoke. Typically, it was the weaker participants who found themselves driven away, lacking the backing of influential connections.

"This Sky Demon Oracle Bone belongs to me. Who among you dares to challenge my claim?" The sinister newcomer made his intentions clear, parting the crowd with an air of authority. His unflinching stance sowed doubt among those who had initially harbored thoughts of contesting his declaration. Frowns etched themselves onto their faces as they hesitated, pondering the consequences of confronting this formidable presence.