The long blade in Jiang Hongzhi’s hand was a magical weapon.
Even if it was the lowest grade, it still wasn’t something ordinary iron could withstand. That meant Lin Yuan had no choice but to attack—defending was not an option.
“Seven-Slaughter: Shadow Pursuit!”
The stone arena exploded with a deafening boom as Lin Yuan’s figure blurred into a series of afterimages, diving into the web of blade light. Hundreds of blood-red blade arcs shredded the brilliant clouds. The clash of metal sounded like a torrential downpour.
His cultivation in the Seven-Slaughter Demon Blade was no longer a secret—demonstrating a bit of strength would do more good than harm.
The two crashed together fiercely, spiritual power surging and stirring up a thick cloud of dust.
“Who won? Who lost?”
The spectators craned their necks, anxiously awaiting the result.
In the distant loft, the woman’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
“The first move of the Seven-Slaughter Demon Blade—Shadow Pursuit. The blade light splits into afterimages, like a thousand blades striking at once. If the enemy retreats, the shadow presses; if the enemy is fast, the blades strike faster.”
“He actually mastered the first move. Impressive!”
Yi Zimo’s expression was complex—shock, admiration, and just a hint of jealousy. After all, even he hadn’t succeeded in mastering that blade technique.
Seeing Lin Yuan wield it now with such devastating power—how could he not feel envy?
“Jiang Hongzhi has lost. This match is over.”
“That Lin Yuan’s blade technique is fierce, but his cultivation is too low. I heard he barely reached the 5th stage Qi Refining Realm by relying on a few trash-tier 3rd-grade pills.”
“Without talent in cultivation, even if he masters all the techniques, at most he’ll just become an outer sect disciple!” The woman spoke again.
“How about a bet, Liu Yier?” Yi Zimo smiled, his eyes burning with interest.
“A bet? On what?”
“Let’s bet Lin Yuan will make it into the inner sect. What do you think?”
“Just him? Without a stroke of luck, he’ll never make it in this lifetime. If you want to bet, fine—I’ll accept.”
“Good. Since it’s a bet, let’s add a little wager. I heard you recently got a young golden eagle. Why not stake that?”
Yi Zimo’s eyes lit up, having thought of something valuable.
“You really know how to pick. A golden-light eagle in its adult stage has strength equivalent to the early Golden Core Realm. There aren’t many in the entire sect.”
Liu Yier smiled, “I’m willing to risk it. But I want your Autumnwater Sword. Can you part with it?”
“A top-grade spiritual weapon, nothing more. Why wouldn’t I part with it? I believe the winner will be me.”
“Then let’s wait and see!”
Their conversation in the loft didn’t affect the intense atmosphere on the stage below. But if others knew that two core disciples had made a bet over someone—and that the stakes were so high—they’d probably be stunned speechless.
As the dust settled, the only thing left in Lin Yuan’s hand was a blade hilt.
Jiang Hongzhi had won!
That was what everyone instinctively thought…
No… it couldn’t be?
Jiang Hongzhi had actually lost?
“Winner: Lin Yuan!”
The judge announced the final result.
With this, Lin Yuan’s advancement into the outer sect was guaranteed.
Just as he prepared to enter the semifinals, a somewhat unfamiliar servant disciple ran up to the judge and whispered a few words.
The judge then walked directly toward Lin Yuan.
Could something have gone wrong?
Lin Yuan’s heart skipped a beat—he had a bad feeling.
“Becoming a pill servant for the Fragrant Pill Pavilion automatically strips you of your servant disciple status. Due to your current identity, all your match results are now void.”
What?!
Lin Yuan’s entire body jolted at the news.
“Strange. Didn’t Elder Lai Ren inform you all?” the judge asked, puzzled by Lin Yuan’s shocked reaction.
On the other side, Jiang Hongzhi had an entirely different response. He instantly jumped to his feet.
“His results are void? Then does that mean I win this match?”
The judge glanced at him coldly. “In cultivation, strength matters—but so does luck. A loss is a loss. You’ll have to wait another year.”
Pfft!
Already injured, Jiang Hongzhi couldn’t take the blow. He coughed up blood and collapsed on the spot.
Every word of the conversation echoed clearly into the loft.
Liu Yier giggled, “Looks like your Autumnwater Sword is mine now!”
Yi Zimo stared wide-eyed.
Since when did Lin Yuan become a pill servant?
After calming down, he said, “So what if he’s a pill servant? Inner sect disciples aren’t restricted by status. He can still join the inner sect.”
“That’s cheating! If he doesn’t enter the inner sect, you can just drag the bet out forever?”
Liu Yier frowned in dissatisfaction.
“Then let’s set a deadline. Next year’s inner sect selection—if he doesn’t get in by then, I lose. Fair?”
“Fair enough. But another condition—you’re not allowed to help him cultivate, or get others to help either.”
“Easy. I agree.”
“Then I’ll be waiting for your Autumnwater Sword!” Liu Yier smiled and walked away. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
After she left, Yi Zimo also stood and walked toward the arena.
If Lin Yuan became discouraged because of this, wouldn’t that mean he would surely lose the bet?
He had to go give him some encouragement.
The loft wasn’t far from the arena. With a flash of movement, he arrived within seconds.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Yi!”
The surrounding disciples were shocked and hurried to greet him.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Yi,” Lin Yuan also cupped his hands.
“Who’s the idiot that made you a pill servant? Blind as a dog!” Yi Zimo scolded angrily.
Meanwhile, back at the Servant Quarters, Lai Ren was leisurely fishing by the pond when his nose suddenly itched. A bad feeling crept into his heart.
No way… was he about to get unlucky again?
He hurriedly tossed the fishing rod aside and circulated his technique to check his condition. Finding nothing wrong, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’ve been unlucky long enough. Maybe it’s finally time for my luck to turn around.”
He picked up his rod and continued fishing leisurely.
Back at the arena, Lin Yuan didn’t answer Yi Zimo’s question. He wasn’t afraid of Lai Ren—but the man’s uncle was a bigger problem.
Luckily, Yi Zimo didn’t press the issue.
He could easily restore Lin Yuan’s servant status—or even make him an outer sect disciple directly. For a core disciple, it was effortless.
But core disciples had to follow the rules. If everyone broke them, the whole sect would fall into chaos. Especially since Lin Yuan was involved in a bet with Liu Yier. If he pulled any strings, she wouldn’t accept the outcome.
“Don’t lose heart. If you can’t enter the outer sect, then go straight to the inner sect.”
Huh?
Lin Yuan, whose mind was still in turmoil, froze for a second upon hearing those words.
Right… inner sect disciples weren’t restricted by identity. If the outer sect wouldn’t take him, he could just skip it and go straight to the inner sect!
Yi Zimo hesitated, then added, “Don’t worry about anything else. I’ll go plead with the Fragrant Pill Pavilion later and ask the elders not to test pills on you anymore.”
“Remember, I’ve placed a big bet on you. You’ve only got one year. By next year, you must enter the inner sect.”
“If you don’t, I lose.”
Lin Yuan stepped back and cupped his hands again.
“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother Yi. As for testing pills—I’ll handle that myself. And as for the inner sect—I will get in.”
One year was too long. He couldn’t wait that long.
Three months from now was the inner sect disciple selection. He still had time.