“Lin Yun, this is our first meeting, isn’t it? Sit down, no need to be so formal. We’re all immortals; I’m just a bit stronger than you, that’s all,” the Moonlit Pavilion Master said with a smile, waving his hand.
Lin Yun sat back down.
The Moonlit Pavilion Master took a seat nearby, separated from Lin Yun’s group by just an aisle.
“Where are Xingwu and his disciple? Still not here?” the Moonlit Pavilion Master glanced up.
Just as he spoke, Emperor Xingwu arrived with immortal Cao Jun.
“Well, speak of you, and here you are, Xingwu. Cutting it close, aren’t you?” the Moonlit Pavilion Master stood to greet them.
Their arrival stirred the atmosphere.
“Lin Yun?”
Spotting Lin Yun, Emperor Xingwu’s brows furrowed slightly.
No doubt, Lin Yun was a sore spot for him, even a source of mockery from immortals like the Moonlit Pavilion Master.
Sure enough, the Moonlit Pavilion Master grinned, “Xingwu, you used to boast about your eye for talent, training immortal disciples. This time, you misjudged and let a prodigy like Lin Yun slip away.”
“Haha, the Pavilion Master’s got a point,” the deputy master of Taigu Gate, seated across the arena, chimed in with a laugh.
The twenty-odd immortals present buzzed with discussion.
Huoyun, smiling, said, “Pavilion Master, stop poking at Xingwu’s sore spot.”
Emperor Xingwu’s face darkened at the remarks.
“Don’t worry, Master. Today, I’ll defeat Ice Wing and reclaim some face for you,” Cao Jun whispered to Emperor Xingwu.
Emperor Xingwu nodded slowly, his expression easing.
“Let’s go.”
He led Cao Jun to seats opposite Lin Yun’s group, across the massive arena, facing each other.
Emperor Huoyun leaned back, saying calmly, “Xingwu, your disciple Cao Jun’s got some nerve. He became an immortal later than Ice Wing, yet he’s bold enough to challenge him. Aren’t you worried he’ll lose?”
“Huoyun, my skill in training disciples is no worse than yours. Ice Wing may not be your disciple, but you’ve guided him. Since Cao Jun’s challenging him, let’s see whose immortal is stronger!” Emperor Xingwu said with a cold smile.
With a wave, he signaled Cao Jun to take the stage.
Boom!
Cao Jun stomped and soared, landing on the arena.
“Xingwu, you’re wrong. We’re just guides, answering their questions and providing resources. How far they cultivate depends on them,” Emperor Huoyun said evenly.
Then he turned, “Ice Wing, go. Be careful.”
“I won’t let you down, Your Majesty!” Ice Wing replied, flying to the arena.
Tension crackled between them.
The atmosphere heated up.
About thirty immortals were now present—a significant turnout, given there were only just over a hundred in total. Some were in seclusion, others busy elsewhere.
The challenge wasn’t between top-ranked immortals on the Heavenly God List.
The large crowd was because everyone knew this wasn’t just Ice Wing versus Cao Jun—it was Emperor Xingwu versus Emperor Huoyun.
Otherwise, few would’ve bothered to watch, merely checking the result via the communication bracelet later.
“Huoyun, since my disciple’s facing your subordinate, how about a wager?” Emperor Xingwu said with a smile.
“What kind of wager?” Emperor Huoyun asked calmly.
“A thousand Haoyue Crystals. If Cao Jun wins, you give me a thousand. If Ice Wing wins, I give you a thousand,” Emperor Xingwu proposed.
“A thousand Haoyue Crystals?”
“Such a huge stake is rare!”
The immortals were stunned.
It was no small sum, especially for lower-ranked immortals. Earning a thousand Haoyue Crystals was daunting.
Those ranked below the top hundred on the Heavenly God List received only one or two hundred crystals per millennium when rewards were distributed.
Emperor Huoyun had once given Lin Yun just five hundred.
While some challenges included wagers, none reached this scale!
A thousand Haoyue Crystals was a massive gamble!
“Xingwu, are you sure about this wager?” Emperor Huoyun frowned, clearly reluctant.
Haoyue Crystals were precious to immortals. Emperor Huoyun needed them not just for himself but for his faction.
A thousand was significant, especially for a wager, which seemed wasteful.
The Moonlit Pavilion Master nearby sighed, “Xingwu, you must be confident to bet a thousand Haoyue Crystals.”
Emperor Xingwu leaned back, “The wager’s set. It’s up to Huoyun to accept. As an empire’s emperor, surely you won’t shy away from this, or do you not have a thousand Haoyue Crystals?”
“Fine, a thousand Haoyue Crystals. I’ll play your game,” Emperor Huoyun agreed.
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
“Emperor Huoyun actually accepted!”
“A thousand Haoyue Crystal wager makes this match far more interesting.”
The immortals marveled at the high stakes.
“With the wager settled, let’s begin. I’m curious about the outcome,” the Moonlit Pavilion Master said, leaning back.
All eyes turned to the arena.
On the platform…
Ice Wing looked tense. With a thousand Haoyue Crystals at stake, a loss would be a heavy blow for Emperor Huoyun.
“Ice Wing, let’s start!” Cao Jun brandished a dark green treasure blade.
As he spoke, Cao Jun’s inner power surged. His blade gleamed brilliantly, unleashing immense force like a dark green river, enveloping Ice Wing.
Ice Wing responded, his treasure sword flashing out.
