A Dangerous Wager

While the peerless prodigies of their generation were still en route, soaring on their swords, the disciples of the Demonic Path and the Immortal Alliance were already on the verge of outright conflict.

The moment Yu Qiuqiao’s utterly insulting words left her lips, the Immortal Alliance disciples instantly erupted into a furious clamor.

Who was Ning Wanzhuang?

She was one of the Nine Hidden Dragons of the Latent Dragon Ranking, the Young Alliance Master of the Immortal Alliance, their public face to the outside world, and the revered Fairy Wangshu, a figure many male cultivators dared not even dream of.

With a single utterance, Yu Qiuqiao had treated her as if she were a mere courtesan from some pleasure house.

Not to mention the obscure, low-level Qi Refiner that ‘demoness’ had dragged out, even the other prodigies, fellow Nine Hidden Dragons of the Latent Dragon Ranking, were deemed unworthy of her.

Yet, even among prodigies, disparities existed.

The Latent Dragon Ranking, as it was known, comprised the nine most exceptional talents in terms of strength and innate ability from all of humanity, encompassing the Great Barrens and the Eight Inner and Outer Seas.

Generally, there was no hierarchy within the Latent Dragon Ranking; this held true even for the previous generations of Nine Hidden Dragons. Excluding those who had perished prematurely, all who had once graced the ranking and were still alive were at least Tribulation Transcendence cultivators.

However, this current generation’s Nine Hidden Dragons were distinctly divided into the “Top Three” and the “rest.”

The foremost was the direct disciple of the Heavenly Ranking’s number one, a figure whose exact name and even gender remained unknown to outsiders.

Beyond that enigmatic individual, only Yu Qiuqiao and Ning Wanzhuang stood on par.

These three were on a completely different stratum compared to all their peers.

The sole person Ning Wanzhuang’s admirers would grudgingly concede as worthy of the Fairy Wangshu was the first Hidden Dragon, a figure as elusive as a divine dragon, seen only in glimpses.

All other prodigies of this generation paled in comparison to these three, let alone being subjected to such blatant disrespect.

While the older Elders and Sect Masters managed to keep their composure, the younger cultivators and disciples completely lost theirs, exploding in outrage.

A torrent of curses and shouts filled the air.

Not to be outdone, the Demonic Path disciples retaliated, their own shouts echoing back.

Over on the Hundred Hunt Gate’s side, Lin Yi, his face bruised and swollen, watched his junior brother Gu—who was being held by their Young Master like a plucked chicken—and couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

‘Even a person like junior brother Gu was merely a pawn that Young Miss Yu could discard at her whim…’

‘The Demonic Path, indeed…’

‘Were there truly so many young talents that they could be squandered in such a manner?’

Lin Yi understood the full ramifications of the current situation better than anyone, and he was certain Young Miss Yu did as well.

Knowing the entire context, yet still dragging junior brother Gu out as a mere prop, how could he not realize now that the “that person” his junior brother Gu had spoken of earlier was none other than Yu Qiuqiao?

While Lin Yi was lost in these thoughts, the unfortunate disciples of the Immortal Alliance were having their own thoughts explode like fireworks, scattering in every direction.

Although he joined the others in cursing the demoness Yu Qiuqiao, did that demoness Yu even know that the person in her grasp belonged to Fairy Ning?

The unlucky fellow felt that this ‘scholar’ could be considered a temporary hero, for with a casual gesture, he had provoked a major conflict between the Immortal Alliance and the Demonic Path.

Yet, even such a person, entangled in a conflict of this magnitude, could only move like a puppet manipulated by unseen strings.

Possessing no autonomy whatsoever.

As for whether this ‘scholar’ gentleman, after being used as a plaything by the demoness Yu, would face another round of wrath upon returning to Fairy Ning…

The unlucky fellow could only lament how fortunate it was to be a useless person like himself.

The scholar suspended in the air desperately wanted to utter a word to save himself, but Yu Qiuqiao gave him no opportunity to speak.

He couldn’t even control his own body; every nod, shake of the head, or wave of the hand was orchestrated by someone else, save for the ability to speak.

The most crucial point was this:

He had no skill in disguise; he was using his own face for this outing.

This was utterly screwed.

Whether Ning Wanzhuang would vent her anger on him, he didn’t know, but he was 100% certain that the other Immortal Alliance disciples would.

Regardless of whether he was Ning Wanzhuang’s person or not.

What was truly disastrous was that returning to the Minor Sword Sect would be tantamount to declaring to the entire world, ‘Actually, I belong to Fairy Ning! Didn’t expect that, did you, demoness!’

‘Ah, life, truly as dark as ever…’

Gu Bei already felt like giving up.

“Speaking of which,” Yu Qiuqiao transmitted to him calmly, her voice reaching only his ears amidst the furious shouts from both sides, “that technique for concealing your cultivation is quite good; I can’t discern your true cultivation level at all.”

Gu Bei twitched his lips, managing a strained smile at her.

”Could I tell you this is my true cultivation?”

”Yes.”

”But damn it, you won’t let me speak!”

”Damn it, don’t let me get my hands on you, or I’ll make you suffer so thoroughly, you demoness, you’ll beg for death and cry out for your parents!”

”Ugh, ahhh! Yu Qiuqiao, you deserve to die!”

Gu Bei was on the verge of exploding.

Regrettably, he couldn’t even express his fury through his expression.

Circumstances were stronger than any individual.

He had no choice but to bow his head.

Facing Yu Qiuqiao from a distance, Ning Wanzhuang’s expression was equally grim.

No one would be pleased by such blatant disrespect in public.

Such matters transcended gender, or even the distinction between immortals and demons.

“Heh, Qiuqiao was merely joking; why such an extreme reaction?” Yu Qiuqiao chuckled softly, waving her hand dismissively, “We Demonic Path cultivators have traveled a long way, and since the Immortal Alliance harbors such malice towards us, rather than being bullied by your numbers, why don’t we set a challenge and have a proper contest?”

Ning Wanzhuang was in a terrible mood.

Yu Qiuqiao acted with excessive abandon; not only did she disregard her own reputation, but she also dragged Ning Wanzhuang’s name through the mud with her.

After this incident, regardless of the outcome, she would inevitably be the subject of gossip among the common folk.

But a bad mood was one thing; what could she do when only three people in this generation were truly her equals in status, position, and cultivation?

Even if she wanted to find a different partner, there was no one suitable.

If Mu Qingsi weren’t an Immortal Alliance cultivator, or if she weren’t so childish, running off to play ‘house,’ she would undoubtedly be a better choice.

Yet, she couldn’t comprehend that woman Mu Qingsi’s thoughts, nor could Yu Qiuqiao.

To abandon the path of a perfectly good candidate for the ‘Number One Under Heaven’ title and instead start from scratch…

“Immortal Alliance disciples naturally do not fear sparring and exchange,” Ning Wanzhuang began, her vermillion lips parting slightly. The moment her voice, calm yet tinged with a hint of languidness, resonated, the previously boisterous scene gradually quieted.

It had to be said, while Ning Wanzhuang and Yu Qiuqiao were equally matched in temperament and beauty, each possessing their unique charm, Ning Wanzhuang was undeniably the epitome of public aesthetic appeal; even Demonic Path cultivators were not immune to her allure.

“Oh? A wager?” Yu Qiuqiao interrupted Ning Wanzhuang’s ‘spell-casting’ with a smirk. “If the Immortal Alliance loses, how about you, Ning Wanzhuang, spend a night with this Young Master Gu?”

Ning Wanzhuang’s expression immediately darkened once more.

‘You crazy woman, you’re still bringing it up, aren’t you?!’

“And if the Demonic Path loses?”

“How about Qiuqiao spends a night with him instead?” The demoness covered her mouth with a light chuckle, casting a fleeting glance at Gu Bei.

“If Young Miss Yu is willing to debase herself, that is the Demonic Path’s own affair.” It wasn’t the first time Ning Wanzhuang wondered if she should seek a different partner; she truly couldn’t fathom what went on inside that woman’s head.

‘Your Demonic Path’s demonic reputation isn’t self-proclaimed, so why are your words and actions so typically those of a demoness?!’

“Oh, could it be, Fairy Ning, that you’re afraid?” Yu Qiuqiao seemed to be getting addicted to her game, having apparently forgotten their cooperation, now solely focused on pushing her audacity.

Ning Wanzhuang wanted to kill someone, right then and there.

She wanted to go over and chop Yu Qiuqiao into eighteen pieces.

Agreeing or refusing such a proposition would both be equally disastrous for her.

“Or perhaps, Fairy Ning, you lack confidence in your Immortal Alliance disciples?” Yu Qiuqiao teased, her voice subtly melodious. “In that case, for the first match… let’s have the individuals directly involved step forward. The Immortal Alliance can simply pick someone of a similar age.”

Gu Bei’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Yu Qiuqiao.

”Damn it, do you really need to go through all this trouble just to kill me?!”

Gu Bei didn’t dare imagine what those Immortal Alliance disciples, who would resort to grabbing crotches and ‘stealing peaches’ (TL Note: ‘掏裆偷桃’ is a colloquial term referring to attacking an opponent’s groin in a fight), might do if truly provoked.

”Besides, I’m not skilled in combat spells!”

”The crucial thing is, at twenty, others are driving Porsches; at twenty, my life is about to be over.”

”Can twenty years old be the same as twenty years old?!”

”When you, Yu Qiuqiao, were in your prime , you were already at the Gold Core stage, damn it!”

”I’m still struggling in the Qi Refinement stage!”

”At least put some cultivation realm restrictions on it!”

”Damn it, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator comes up, I might as well just perform suicide for you!”

Unlike Gu Bei’s bewildered rage and terror, Ning Wanzhuang found herself cornered, unable to back down.

She truly hadn’t expected Yu Qiuqiao’s betrayal to be so ruthless.

”Did this mud have to be slung today?!”

Regardless of victory or defeat, for a long time, they would both become the subject of ridicule.

“Don’t worry, Qiuqiao would never let Young Master Gu die so easily~” Yu Qiuqiao seemed to discern the emotions in Gu Bei’s eyes, transmitting to him with a playful smile, “You’ll win, and after you win, there’ll be a re-ward~”

‘?’

‘Who asked you?’

”But…”

”A reward…”

Gu Bei’s resolve wavered for a moment, swayed by Yu Qiuqiao’s gentle and enchanting features.

Then, he suddenly snapped back to reality.

”Damn it! I almost fell for that lunatic’s trick!”

”It’s charm magic!”

”It definitely is charm magic!”

Gu Bei refused to admit that his worldview had almost been hijacked by his aesthetic appreciation.

The instant Gu Bei’s mind reeled was fully observed by Yu Qiuqiao.

The demoness merely curved her lips slightly, saying nothing more.

Ning Wanzhuang finally delivered her response at this moment.

“Fine, Young Miss Yu, just don’t renege on your word if you lose!”

‘?’

”Fairy Ning, what madness has seized you now?”

Gu Bei felt the world was changing too rapidly; he struggled to keep up.

‘The chance to intimately embrace a lofty ‘flower of the high peaks’ (TL Note: ‘高岭之花’ is a Chinese idiom describing someone beautiful and unattainable, like a flower on a high mountain) is right before my eyes; I must consider if this is my only opportunity in this life—what the hell am I thinking!’

”Don’t be led astray by Yu Qiuqiao, Fairy Ning!”

”Whether I, Gu, can return alive today depends entirely on your infallible calculations and brilliant mind to turn things around.”

”How is it that I’m still struggling, and you’ve already surrendered?”

”Heh, I’m done.”

”After twenty years in this world, I’ll have to start over again.”

”I achieved a good score of twenty years in the speedrun to the cultivation world event; you should try it too.”

“As for the time… let’s set it for a month from now. The location can be discussed later~”

The demoness said this with a beaming smile, then, hoisting Gu Bei, she led the Demonic Path disciples away like a receding tide.

Meanwhile, Gu Bei’s master was still soaring on their sword, en route.