"You heard, right? A new disciple who's only been here three days is challenging Chen Hao, who's at the peak of the Qi Refining stage!"
"??? Chen Hao's at the peak already? Wasn't he saving up Foundation Establishment Pills? He should be breaking through any time now. And some newbie dares to challenge him?"
"Exactly. And she's from Tianjian Peak, too."
"I know her. That girl's got five spiritual roots. She almost got dumped into the outer sect, but the Peak Lord of Tianjian Peak picked her up like discarded goods."
"If you ask me, joining Tianjian Peak is worse than being in the outer sect."
"Seriously. Everyone knows Tianjian Peak will change hands in three months anyway!"
"Forget that, let's go see the show."
"I heard someone's even set up a betting pool. Two-to-one odds on Chen Hao. Five-to-one if you bet on that newbie, Yun Jin."
"Five-to-one? If that hits, the payout's insane."
"Yeah, but do you really think Yun Jin has any chance of winning?"
"Fair point. Safer to bet on Chen Hao. Easy double."
"Come on, let's go place our bets. It's like free spirit stones raining from the sky."
A spar between two Qi Refining stage disciples had drawn an absurd crowd. The arena was packed, with barely enough space to breathe.
Yun Jin glanced at the swelling tide of onlookers and gave a satisfied smile.
So many people…
[+120 Emotional Value]
So much Emotional Value to harvest.
This was it—her one-way ticket to the moon.
"Junior Sister, here, take this." Si Wan'ning handed her a sword, looking visibly worried. "You're still not strong enough. This sword's a low-grade spiritual weapon. You should be able to just barely control it."
"Thank you, Second Senior Sister," Yun Jin replied sweetly, accepting the blade. She tried to spin it in a flourish like she'd seen others do... and promptly dropped it.
Si Wanning facepalmed.
Yue Zhao's eye twitched. "Little Junior Sister… are you sure you're ready?"
"No big deal, no big deal," Yun Jin said cheerfully, picking up the sword. "I've just never actually held one before. I've only watched you all practice. I wasn't ready for the weight. But trust me, I'm a once-in-a-generation prodigy. I'll get the hang of it fast."
The Tianjian trio: "..."
They were not reassured.
"Junior Sister! You've got to give it your all!" Yue Zhao was visibly nervous.
Yun Jin blinked, then lowered her voice mischievously. "Senior Brother... you didn't place a bet on me, did you?"
Yue Zhao looked mortally offended. "How could you say that? Gambling is bad! I would never!"
"Really?" Yun Jin squinted at him.
"Really." Yue Zhao nodded solemnly. "I run the betting pool. House always wins."
Yun Jin: "..."
"Respect. This guy's straight-up 666."
Yue Zhao leaned in, whispering, "If you win, we're in for a huge haul. I'll split the profits with you, fifty-fifty."
If Yun Jin lost... well, he'd be broke. But that part he kept to himself.
"Deal!" Yun Jin declared, confidence blazing as she hopped up onto the stage.
Chen Hao stepped up as soon as she did.
Ye Danxia stood tall, though her body swayed with weakness. She looked like she might collapse at any moment. She didn't know what had happened last night. Her stomach had hurt all night long, and she'd spent so much time running to the latrine she nearly broke her legs. She could barely stand today.
But! For that ring, she would crawl if she had to. The other senior brothers who had accompanied her to Tianjian Peak yesterday also looked pale and drained.
Ye Danxia asked around, and, to her surprise, they'd all had the same miserable night.
(If not for Chen Hao being unaffected, Ye Danxia would've suspected foul play.)
In the end, it probably just came down to bad food.
"Don't worry, Junior Sister," said one of the senior brothers. "Senior Brother Chen is guaranteed to win. That ring will be yours."
"Someone set up a betting pool too. I've already bet everything I have. Once Chen Hao wins, my wealth doubles," said another.
Ye Danxia was tempted. She immediately pulled out her welcome gifts from Zhao Wujie and the others: ten Biling Pills and a low-grade spiritual weapon.
"Senior Brother, can I bet these?"
"Hmm, those need to be converted into spirit stones first. But better to keep them for yourself. These are worth around a hundred low-grade stones. I'll place the bet for you. Once we win, I'll return the earnings."
Ye Danxia's eyes gleamed. "Thank you, Senior Brother."
The senior brother smiled and rushed off happily to place the bet. The others nearby watched with envy.
Why hadn't they offered first?
Currying favor with a future powerhouse was priceless!
Thus, Ye Danxia was soon pampered like royalty—water, fans, even a chair carried over for her.
"Thank you, everyone. You're too kind." She basked in the attention.
Meanwhile, on stage, Chen Hao looked at the scene below with a sneer.
Pathetic.
Their attempts to please Ye Danxia were amateurish.
His method?
Winning her the ring she coveted—now that was true devotion.
Plus, this Yun Jin had dared to insult his beloved junior sister.
Today, he'd humiliate her in front of everyone.
Chen Hao gave Yun Jin a frosty look. "Since you're new, I won't bully you. You can go first."
"Really?" Yun Jin looked genuinely surprised.
"I'll even give you three moves," Chen Hao sneered.
"Alright then." Yun Jin nodded seriously. "Perfect. I could use the chance to get familiar with my sword techniques."
Practice… now?!
The crowd erupted in laughter. The bets on Chen Hao spiked instantly. Yue Zhao clutched his chest. This was getting out of hand. Was there even an exit strategy for this mess?
Yun Jin raised her sword and started waving it around aimlessly. Her so-called "sword technique" had no form, no rhythm, nothing but chaos. It was laughable.
"Quick, bet on Chen Hao!"
"Easy win. He's got this."
"Come on, let's all go in."
Ye Danxia watched Yun Jin's clumsy swings and smirked.
She'd lived with Yun Jin for years—since when did this girl know sword arts?
This was just public embarrassment.
Chen Hao scoffed. "Yun Jin, do you even know sword techniques? I could stand here motionless, and you'd still miss!"
Yun Jin nodded, looking troubled. "I feel the same! Okay, Senior Brother Chen, stand still! Don't move, no matter what! I'm attacking now!"
She twirled her sword again, just barely pulling it off this time, then charged forward while shouting at the top of her lungs, as though sheer volume might boost her courage.
Chen Hao rolled his eyes and casually layered his body in spiritual energy.
How should he crush her?
Break her arm?
Slap her face?
All of the above?
All the frustration Ye Danxia had endured from Yun Jin... he would settle the score today.
"Senior Brother Chen, I'm going to use a sword move now!" Yun Jin called out.
Chen Hao nearly laughed out loud.
A technique?
From those clumsy swings?
Hilarious!