In a fair gamble, one would definitely lose one’s capital at some point if one gambled for too long a time, not to mention there were few truly fair gambles in the world.
However, Lu Zhou was really in need of obsidian essences at this time. It seemed like the owner of the voice was aware of this as well. He turned to face the towering tree and said, “Since you want to bet with me, you should at least come out and meet me…”
“I don’t like sunlight.”The voice was like water.
An answer appeared in Lu Zhou’s mind. “Lan Xihe, the Tower Master of the White Tower Council?”
“Not only are you not weak, but you’re not stupid as well…” After a brief pause, Lan Xihe asked again, “Are you willing to bet with me?”
The wind blew as Lu Zhou replied, “Ye Tianxin is my disciple; do you think I’d used her for a bet?”
Lan Xihe said, “There’s no need to think too much; the bet is just a form of amusement. I know you’ve been looking for obsidian essences everywhere. They’re incredibly rare, but I have some in the White Tower Council. If it makes you feel better, I can give you the obsidian essences directly in exchange for Ye Tianxin; there’s no need to bet. Since you’re her master, I thought it’s best to ask for your permission…”
Lu Zhou was not in a rush to give an answer. Instead, he asked curiously, “What do you want from Ye Tianxin?”
Based on the power of smell, Lan Xihe already possessed the Great Void energy. Then, what was her purpose for wanting Ye Tianxin? Perhaps, Lan Xihe knew about the Great Void Seed and was no longer satisfied with just the Great Void energy?
“I admire her a lot. She has all the qualities of a talent,” Lan Xihe replied.
Lu Zhou could not figure out her purpose. He said, “You didn’t answer my question…”
“Don’t worry. I harbor no malicious intent toward her,” Lan Xihe said faintly
Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “I will judge whether you harbor malicious intent or not. Since she’s my disciple, I naturally have to figure out your purpose…”
Lan Xihe replied patiently and seriously, “If I harbor malicious intent, is there a need for me to come to you?”
Lu Zhou nodded. With Lan Xihe’s cultivation, she could easily take Ye Tianxin away. With this, he reminded himself to be careful of wicked people such as those from the Black Tower Council who tried to sow discord. On the surface, they did not dare to attack him, but it did not mean they would not dare to act in the dark. Finally, he said faintly, “80 obsidian essences…”
Silence descended on the forest.
Even the White Tower Council had to carefully consider giving away 80 obsidian essences; even Lan Xihe would hesitate.
After a short silence, Lan Xihe said, “Greed is one of humans’ characteristics. Ye Tianxin is worth this price. I agree to give you 80 obsidian essences then…”
Lu Zhou wanted 80 obsidian essences because he already had 26 in his possessions, of which 10 were still with King Chen of Wu. It would be difficult for him to come across a chance to obtain 100 obsidian essences.
Lan Xihe said, “The bet has been set; I’ll see you in five days.”
“Hold on…” Lu Zhou called out.
“I don’t like people going back on their words the most,” Lan Xihe said.
Lu Zhou said, “I’ll give you a piece of advice.”
“Please speak.”
“From my many years of experience, those who are certain of winning a gamble usually don’t end up very well. Some even ended up losing their families…” Lu Zhou said.
Lan Xihe laughed. Her laughter was melodious and pleasant to the ears like that of a forest elf. After a moment, she said, “Didn’t you fall into the trap?”
After that, there were no more replies from Lan Xihe.
Lu Zhou sensed a faint Primal Qi fluctuation; his interest was piqued. He flashed forward and arrived under the towering tree. All that was left on a tree trunk was a faint lingering Primal Qi.
He silently chanted the mantra for the power of smell. Then, he followed the energy and moved toward the mountains. After unleashing the grand technique a few times, he still could not catch up to Lan Xihe. In the end, he landed on the top of a mountain and surveyed the land before him. He stood unmoving like a statue as he looked around. The scent had abruptly disappeared at this place.
Lu Zhou was puzzled. What method did Lan Xihe use to conceal her scent and avoid the power of the Heavenly Writing Power? Following that, he recited the incantation for the power of hearing. He expanded his hearing range to cover a radius of ten miles. Except for the sounds from the birds, beasts, waterfalls, and rivers in the forest, he did not hear Lan Xihe at all.
He frowned slightly. “Did she disappear into thin air?”
Either Lan Xihe was very cautious and hid her scent or she really disappeared into thin air.
After a brief moment, Lu Zhou flew up into the sky with the vast land beneath his feet. There was no trace left of him except for some faint lingering scent from him.
He did not continue to search for Lan Xihe and returned to the small village instead.
…
In the inn in the small village.
When Lu Zhou returned, Yu Zhenghai, Shen Xi, and Zhao Hongfu were waiting for him respectfully.
Zhao Hongfu said, “To create a runic passage, we must carve the inscription in the destination. Right now, we can only open a passage to the red lotus domain. We’ll have to get someone to carve the inscriptions in the golden lotus domain before we can open a passage there…”
Yu Zhenghai said, “I’m afraid that’s impossible. No one in the golden lotus domain can carve the inscriptions for a runic passage; only you can do it…”
“No one knows how to do it?” Zhao Hongfu asked in confusion.
“That’s right. Currently, you’re the only runemaster in the red lotus domain and the golden lotus domain,” Yu Zhenghai said.
“Just… Just me?” Zhao Hongfu sounded slightly unconfident. She spent most of her time in the Runes Academy; it was only natural the people she interacted with were proficient in runes. Whether it was a teacher or a student, they all knew runes. How could she be used to being the only runemaster in two domains?
“Be more confident. Everyone in the Evil Sky Pavilion has their own strengths,” Shen Xi said with a smile.
“Alright, I guess I’m rather rare in both domains. If that’s the case, I can only cross the Endless Ocean and fly back to the golden lotus domain,” Zhao Hongfu said.
“That’s not necessary,” Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “We can borrow the runic passage from the Black Tower Council first.”
“…” Zhao Hongfu.
Shen Xi and Yu Zhenghai nodded.
“You may all take your leave.”
“Understood.”
After the trio left, Lu Zhou used the power of sight to observe Ye Tianxin. After seeing she was safe and sound, focused on her cultivation, he directed the power to observe Yu Shangrong.
Yu Shangrong had already returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion and was safe as well.
Following that, he cut off the power of sight and activated the Purple Glazed Ceramic to cultivate.
…
Meanwhile, in a secluded place in the Land of Shu’s Xuanzheng where the Black Tower Council was located.
“Lord Duan, we’ve injured Shen Xi. We’ve also placed spies masquerading as common folks in the small village. Based on Old Demon Lu’s temper, he should be coming to the Black Tower Council to look for trouble soon…”
Duan Xihua asked, “Are you so certain Old Demon Lu will come?”
“This…” The person hesitated for a moment before he said slightly confidently, “It’s highly likely he’ll come. Our people had investigated him. When he was in the red lotus domain, he never failed to seek revenge from those who offended him. He’s narrow-minded and has a bad temper. There are many people in the red lotus domain who called him Old Demon Lu as well. His reputation in the red lotus domain is even more exaggerated compared to the golden lotus domain. The people in the golden lotus domain call him Old Demon Ji instead. However, in recent times, his reputation has improved tremendously. It’s rather strange; the contrast between the past and the present is too huge.”
