Gambling

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As the entrance to the forbidden area was about to close, disciples from the seven sects fled one after another. The old monster Qiong, who had been missing for days, reappeared with a relaxed and confident smile, as if he was certain of winning their previous bet.

If not for the unexpected variable of Qi Yuan, Old Monster Qiong might have actually won. With Nangong Wan leading the team, they were nearly invincible in the Foundation Establishment Stage, making the collection of elixirs an easy task.

The Taoist priests of Qingxu Sect and Li Huayuan observed Old Monster Qiong's confidence with unease, trying to guess what strategy the Yanyue Sect had used to surpass them.

Old Monster Qiong said bluntly, "My two Taoist friends, prepare the treasures. I'll be collecting them now."

Li Huayuan exchanged glances with the Taoist priest from Qingxu Sect and replied firmly, "Senior Qiong, the battle among our disciples isn't over yet. It's too soon to declare a winner. Please wait a little longer."

Fu Yunzi immediately echoed the sentiment.

Old Monster Qiong snorted. "Alright, but don't blame me for being ruthless when the time comes."

Hearing this, Li Huayuan and the others could only smile bitterly.

Hours passed.

The disciples who managed to return looked exhausted. Their clothes were tattered, and they were either covered in bruises or dust.

As the passage was about to close, anxiety spread among the seven sects.

Li Huayuan stared at the entrance of the forbidden area with a dark expression. Qi Yuan had not appeared yet. Could he have perished inside? How could he face Senior Sister Hongfu if that were the case?

Fairy Nishang from the Yanyue Sect was also worried. She paced back and forth, glancing at the entrance every few steps.

Even Old Monster Qiong, who had previously looked relaxed, now had a serious expression as he stared at the circular light marking the entrance.

The Taoist priest from Qingxu Sect took note of their concern and felt somewhat pleased, thinking that their sects must have suffered losses in the forbidden area.

Han Yunzhi, standing with the Lingshou Mountain team, searched the crowd with clear, expectant eyes, secretly praying for Qi Yuan's safe return.

The eldest brother of the Chen family furrowed his brows slightly. Was his sister about to become a widow?

"Senior Brother Han, Senior Brother Qi, please don't push me."

An old man at the eleventh level of Qi training stumbled out of the passage, muttering to himself.

Seeing that it was a disciple of Huangfeng Valley, the crowd remained indifferent.

Li Huayuan commanded, "Xiang Zhili, come here. Don't embarrass yourself."

The old man nervously stepped forward. Behind him, two figures emerged from the entrance.

Fairy Nishang's face lit up with anticipation, but after recognizing the newcomers, she looked disappointed.

Han Yunzhi, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile with joy. She instinctively took a step forward but stopped herself.

Their identities made it inappropriate.

The two who emerged were Qi Yuan and Han Li.

Qi Yuan hadn't expected to meet Xiang Zhili on his way out. Seeing the man alone, he wondered if all seven or eight of his recruited disciples had perished.

Li Huayuan let out a sigh of relief after recognizing Qi Yuan and immediately called him over.

Han Li, meanwhile, slipped into the crowd, trying to remain unnoticed.

After a short discussion, another group of figures appeared at the entrance.

Fairy Nishang's face brightened, and she quickly stepped forward to welcome someone back, showing deep concern.

Seeing Nangong Wan's safe return, Qi Yuan quietly let go of his worries.

Not long after, the entrance to the forbidden area closed completely.

Among the seven sects, the Yanyue Sect, Huangfeng Valley, Qingxu Sect, and Lingshou Mountain had suffered only minor losses. The others, however, had lost many of their elites in the forbidden area.

A somber atmosphere spread through the crowd.

After reporting to Li Huayuan, Qi Yuan scanned the area until his eyes met Han Yunzhi's. She responded with a gentle smile. Seeing that she had returned safely, his concerns eased.

Giving her a meaningful look, Qi Yuan quietly retreated into the background.

At that moment, the Taoist priest from Qingxu Sect stepped forward to assess the results of the bet.

Old Monster Qiong and Li Huayuan followed closely.

One by one, the disciples placed their collected elixirs on the table.

The Taoist priest from Qingxu Sect was pleased when his disciple's contribution appeared slightly superior.

Li Huayuan, however, snorted in dissatisfaction.

Old Monster Qiong remained indifferent, as if he was still certain of victory.

Uninterested in the bet, Qi Yuan took Han Yunzhi's hand and led her to a quieter place, offering her some advice for staying safe in the future.

"Brother Qi, I'm so relieved you're safe. I was so worried…" Han Yunzhi spoke nervously, her face flushing as she felt the warmth of his hand.

Qi Yuan playfully pinched her nose and whispered, "Silly girl, how could I die so easily? I won't rest until I can spend my life with you."

Han Yunzhi's eyes flickered. Her face turned red, and she looked away.

Brother Qi wants to spend his life with me.

Although there were few people nearby, Qi Yuan remained cautious. The old monster in the Jindan stage could easily scan the area with his spiritual sense, leaving no room for secrecy.

Otherwise, he would have kissed her right then and there.

"Yunzhi, remember what I told you before. Follow my advice as soon as you return. I'll come to see you when I can."

Removing her from Spirit Beast Mountain would limit her cultivation resources. Qi Yuan needed to visit her regularly to provide elixirs and other essentials.

Fortunately, the Chaos Cauldron seemed to generate resources effortlessly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to support someone else's cultivation.

Han Yunzhi obediently nodded. When he first warned her, she had been doubtful. But after everything they had been through, she fully believed in him now.

Qi Yuan, satisfied with her response, knew he couldn't stay long. They returned separately to avoid drawing attention.

"Hey, where did that kid go just now?" Nangong Wan muttered in confusion. She had been too focused on the bet and had momentarily forgotten about him.

Fairy Nishang, standing nearby, noticed her expression and asked, "Junior Sister, is something wrong?"

Nangong Wan shook her head slightly. "It's nothing."

Fairy Nishang didn't press further.

The gambling match reached its climax.

Yanyue Sect's magical elixirs had surpassed those from Huangfeng Valley and Qingxu Sect. The Taoist priest from Qingxu Sect and Li Huayuan realized they had lost.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't handed over my elixirs yet," a voice interrupted.

The three sect leaders turned their attention to Qi Yuan. Li Huayuan's eyes lit up with excitement as he immediately pulled Qi Yuan forward.

How could I have forgotten about this guy?

With his thirteenth-level Qi training, even if his elixirs weren't as impressive as Yanyue Sect's, they would still be better than Qingxu Sect's. He didn't want to be in last place and become a laughingstock.

Qi Yuan respectfully bowed to the sect leaders.

Old Monster Qiong and Fu Yunzi nodded slightly but kept a close watch on him.

Li Huayuan commanded, "Qi Yuan, show us the spiritual medicine you collected."

"Yes, Master," Qi Yuan answered seriously.

Under everyone's gaze, he placed one elixir after another on the table. Soon, he had surpassed Qingxu Sect.

Fu Yunzi's expression darkened as he silently prepared the Bloodline Dragon's inner elixir.

Li Huayuan chuckled, clearly pleased.

Old Monster Qiong, who had initially dismissed Qi Yuan, now watched in disbelief as the pile of elixirs continued to grow.

By the time Qi Yuan had surpassed Yanyue Sect's total, Old Monster Qiong was stunned.

Li Huayuan, thrilled with the result, burst into laughter.

Since Qi Yuan had already secured victory, there was no need to reveal more.

Qi Yuan stopped, pretending to have run out.

Noticing this, Li Huayuan's eyes gleamed with calculation. He secretly sent a message to his disciple, instructing him not to inspect Qi Yuan's storage bag.

This kid is definitely hiding something. But letting it slide is reasonable.

In reality, before leaving the forbidden area, Qi Yuan had already stashed all his treasures in the Chaos Cauldron. His storage bag was empty.

If the thousand-year elixirs were discovered, he wouldn't have enough lives to survive the consequences.

(End of chapter)