After half a year, Zhangsun Fengye finally returned to the ancient star of Yanchang.
During this time, he had offended more than twenty top-tier evildoers, each one a renowned figure.
“Old Chen, things have gotten out of hand. Are we going to mess this up?”
Upon his return, Zhangsun Fengye immediately sought out Chen Qingyuan, feeling a bit uneasy.
“Don’t panic. If things get too hot, we’ll just make a run for it.”
Chen Qingyuan loved the excitement. This way, he could earn more resources.
As long as there were battles, Chen Qingyuan not only collected management fees but also ran a betting ring on the sidelines.
Bets were placed on wins and losses, who would get injured first, how many rounds the fight would last, and so on.
With a growing reputation, Chen Qingyuan’s daily income from spirit stones was astronomical. Of course, on unlucky days, he could also lose a lot.
Overall, he won more than he lost, reaping substantial rewards.
“Zhangsun Fengye, I’m here!”
Several hours later, Feng Chen, dressed in purple, arrived in mid-air.
The gathered Heaven’s Pride instantly recognized him and exclaimed, “The Holy Son of Qianchen Sect!”
Feng Chen stood above a platform, his sharp gaze fixed on Zhangsun Fengye, his presence imposing. “Come up and fight!”
No rest for the wicked!
Zhangsun Fengye wanted to complain about his hard work.
Was it for those resources?
While the resources were indeed plentiful, as a Holy Son, he wasn’t really lacking.
Bad company!
Zhangsun Fengye glanced at Chen Qingyuan beside him and sighed lightly.
“Why are you looking at me? Get up there and fight him!”
Chen Qingyuan patted Zhangsun Fengye’s shoulder and whispered.
“Why don’t you go?”
Zhangsun Fengye grumbled.
“He clearly came for you. What does it have to do with me?” Chen Qingyuan was glad he had put Zhangsun Fengye’s name on the challenge letter instead of his own. “Besides, I need to run the betting and collect the money. I’ll give you a bigger cut after the fight.”
“Meeting you in this life has been a huge loss.”
Zhangsun Fengye retorted.
“You can’t say that. If it weren’t for knowing me, would your soul have found a place to belong?”
This tactic never failed.
“…Get lost.” Zhangsun Fengye’s face darkened. “Remember to bet on the Fortune Green Lotus, don’t miss the chance.”
“I know.”
Of course, Zhangsun Fengye wouldn’t forget that.
The scene shifted to a large platform.
Zhangsun Fengye and Feng Chen from Qianchen Sect faced each other, tensions high. “Dare to bet a Fortune Green Lotus?”
“The challenge letter said if you lose, you owe three, right?”
Feng Chen countered.
“Yes.” Zhangsun Fengye nodded.
“Then let’s bet.”
Feng Chen showed no fear.
The atmosphere on the platform grew tense, while the crowd outside buzzed with excitement.
Chen Qingyuan waved his sleeve, and a large table appeared before him, covered with various odds.
“Don’t just stand there. With such an exciting fight, don’t you all want to place a bet?”
Fighting was something to avoid if possible. But making money required serious effort, racking one’s brains and sparing no effort.
Chen Qingyuan aimed to squeeze out the wealth of all the Heaven’s Pride present, turning it into his own private property.
In fact, Chen Qingyuan wasn’t sure how many spirit stones he had now, never having counted carefully. But he was confident that the combined wealth of most first-rate but weaker forces in the Northern Wilderness couldn’t match his own.
“I bet on Dao Friend Zhangsun to win!”
“Although Zhangsun Fengye is strong, I’ve seen the Holy Son of Qianchen Sect in action, so I bet a thousand high-quality spirit stones on the Holy Son to win!”
“Even the Sword Disciple of Dongli lost half a move to Zhangsun Fengye. The Holy Son of Qianchen Sect might struggle too. Though I dislike Chen Qingyuan’s smug face, who can argue with money?”
“The Holy Son of Qianchen Sect will be the first to get injured…”
The crowd outside was noisy, with bets accumulating to over 500,000 high-quality spirit stones and 50,000 top-quality spirit stones.
As for medium and low-quality spirit stones, sorry, Chen Qingyuan wasn’t interested and didn’t accept them.
With a growing reputation, making money became easier.
Chen Qingyuan decided to take it step by step, growing bigger and stronger, emptying most people’s pockets.
“I’ll join the fun too.”
Suddenly, a voice with a hint of coldness came from afar, followed by a warship docking near the ancient star of Yanchang.
People from Pear Blossom Palace!
Everyone’s expressions changed.
Then, seeing the women in long dresses approaching, the young talents stared wide-eyed.
“The Holy Maiden of Pear Blossom Palace is here. Greetings.”
Chen Qingyuan pretended to be respectful, clasping his fists.
“Ten thousand high-quality spirit stones, betting on Zhangsun Fengye… to lose.”
Wang Shutong, dressed in a white dress, had an aura that kept people within ten meters at bay, her extreme coldness making them shiver.
“Alright.”
After receiving the spirit stones, Chen Qingyuan issued a receipt.
Standing beside Wang Shutong was Xiao Yanran, the second disciple of the younger generation of Pear Blossom Palace. She scrutinized Chen Qingyuan, feeling a strange familiarity, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
However, Xiao Yanran couldn’t recall where.
Years ago, Chen Qingyuan had secretly attacked Pear Blossom Palace, stealing a piece of Sky Iron. At that time, he had concealed his aura, framing Star-Plucking Tower.
“I’ll place a bet too.”
Before the fight began, a man in black appeared.
With his arrival, the ancient star of Yanchang became even more lively.
The leader of the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border, Fu Dongliu.
This guy wasn’t easy to deal with. It was said that since he started cultivating, he had never lost to anyone of his age.
“Two hundred thousand high-quality spirit stones, Zhangsun Fengye—to win!”
Fu Dongliu hoped Zhangsun Fengye would win, making the game more interesting. A mere few hundred thousand spirit stones meant nothing to him.
“Alright!”
Chen Qingyuan immediately issued a receipt.
Soon, more people arrived.
The other evildoers of the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border came one after another.
With their leader Fu Dongliu joining the fun, how could they miss out?
“I trust the leader’s judgment, five thousand high-quality spirit stones, just a token.”
“Ten thousand spirit stones.”
“Eight thousand spirit stones…”
Goodness, the bets for this fight had already exceeded a million high-quality spirit stones.
Chen Qingyuan calculated. Despite the large amount, it seemed he wouldn’t profit much, no matter who won or lost.
It was all because of these guys from the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border, betting on Zhangsun Fengye to win for no reason.
“For countless years, you’re the first to open a casino at the Hundred Veins Banquet.”
Fu Dongliu squinted at Chen Qingyuan.
“There’s always someone who sets a precedent.”
Chen Qingyuan met Fu Dongliu’s gaze, unafraid.
The two on the platform weren’t disturbed by the outside world. They hadn’t made a move yet, both probing each other.
Whoosh—
At a certain moment, a strand of hair in front of Zhangsun Fengye suddenly broke.
The probing phase was over, and it seemed Zhangsun Fengye was at a disadvantage.
The real battle was about to begin.