Chapter 405: Cheating

In the spacious and bustling trading hall, when Zhou Yuan and Su Duan made their wager, the stone gambling area immediately became the most popular spot in the entire hall, with many people flocking towards it.

Anyone could see the current situation: it was the classic, cliché scenario of two men fighting over a woman, but the two protagonists involved greatly piqued many people's interest.

One was a disciple of the Cangxuan Sect, while the other was the Young Sect Master of the Yanding Sect.

Normally, the Cangxuan Sect held a high and mighty position, renowned throughout Cangxuan Heaven. Su Duan's status was not low either; although the Yanding Sect was not as powerful as the Cangxuan Sect, he was still its Young Sect Master, giving him a prominent standing.

Now that these two had encountered each other, it was quite interesting.

Consequently, more and more people gathered, making this spot the most conspicuous place.

While the trading hall was abuzz with this rivalry, on the second floor of the trading hall, some gazes were also looking down from above.

The second floor was not noisy; compared to the crowded area below, it was quite tranquil, as only extraordinary individuals were permitted access.

Li Qingchan, Zhao Zhu, Feng Ying from the Hundred Flowers Palace, and others, happened to be there.

Opposite Li Qingchan and the others were several figures, led by two individuals. These two also appeared young, but exuded an inherent aura of power, clearly indicating they were no ordinary people.

Even Li Qingchan, upon seeing these two, had a flicker of apprehension in her beautiful eyes.

For these two were precisely the two Saint Sons dispatched by the Sacred Palace this time:

Wang Li and Cao Jinzhu.

Wang Li was a man in red, with a slightly effeminate face and a smile playing on his lips. However, his gaze was exceptionally sharp. In his hands, he twirled two fiery red iron balls. The iron balls emanated a terrifying heat, enough to melt metal and stone, yet he held them casually.

Cao Jinzhu, on the other hand, had a sturdy physique, like an iron tower, and his eyes were fierce like a beast's, making one shiver slightly.

Beside the two, Yang Xuan, whom they had seen earlier in the day, was also smiling.

On another side, there were several figures, led by a gaunt young man. Although he appeared unremarkable, those familiar with him knew the astonishing combat power contained within his slender body.

For this was precisely the Saint Son dispatched by the North Sea Dragon Suppressing Hall, whose strength was equally formidable.

On this small second floor of the trading hall, Saint Sons from the four major paramount sects had gathered, an assembly of no small stature.

The four groups gathered in one place, yet remained somewhat distinct, each wary and apprehensive of the others, so the atmosphere was naturally far from friendly.

It was amidst this somewhat confrontational atmosphere that they all noticed the commotion below, and their gazes consequently drifted downwards.

"Hehe, Qingchan," Feng Ying chuckled first, "your junior brother from the Cangxuan Sect is quite a passionate fellow. Is he going to compete with Su Duan from the Yanding Sect in opening flame stones for Qingyu?"

Li Qingchan naturally also saw Zhou Yuan's figure, and was slightly startled.

Zhao Zhu, however, frowned and said with some dissatisfaction: "This is utter nonsense. If he loses, it's one thing for him to lose face, but don't let him tarnish the reputation of our Cangxuan Sect."

With that, he summoned Qin Hai, intending to have him bring Zhou Yuan up.

"Junior Brother Zhao Zhu, this is his own business. Is there really a need to interfere so much?" Li Qingchan said indifferently.

Zhao Zhu lowered his gaze slightly and said calmly: "Senior Sister Qingchan, the Yanding Sect's largest industry is flame stone gambling. Su Duan is also highly skilled in this. He deliberately incited Zhou Yuan to compete with him, simply to humiliate him in front of everyone.

"And yet this Zhou Yuan doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, thinking that everyone will defer to him just because he's a Cangxuan Sect disciple?"

Li Qingchan calmly said: "That's his own choice. If he loses face, it's his own face that's lost. The reputation of our Cangxuan Sect is probably not something that can be tarnished by a mere situation like this."

Zhao Zhu was somewhat speechless, but finally scoffed and said: "Then just watch."

Bai Li stood beside Li Qingchan. Looking at the scene below, she also whispered: "This kid really knows how to get into trouble with women. He's barely just stepped out and he's already getting involved."

It was clear that she was slightly displeased with Zhou Yuan. If he was here to cultivate the Hunyuan Heavenly Art, shouldn't he at least put on a show of diligence? Instead, he immediately got into a jealous quarrel over a female disciple from the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace.

"Let me tell you, if he truly performs poorly in the Flame Marrow Vein this time, I will report it truthfully to the elders when we return to the sect. Then your influence won't be of much use either."

Hearing Bai Li's words, Li Qingchan remained silent, but inwardly sighed softly. Her cool eyes swept over Zhou Yuan below, and a hint of disappointment flashed deep within them.

Perhaps, her insistence on protecting Zhou Yuan and bringing him out this time, was indeed a wrong move.

In her view, Zhou Yuan's current attitude and behavior were entirely a case of him acting recklessly out of despair, feeling disregarded by Elder Wu.

Zhou Yuan, standing below, naturally did not notice the gazes from the second floor. When he saw Su Duan take out the ancient wooden bracelet as a wager, a smile uncontrollably appeared on his lips.

"Brother Su, how do you want to play?" Zhou Yuan's voice seemed to have grown much gentler at this moment.

Su Duan stared at Zhou Yuan with a smile, then pointed to the stone gambling area in front of them and said: "Let's stick to the usual rules. Each of us will enter the arena, pick five flame stones from this large selection, and then open them publicly. Whoever reveals the flame marrow of the highest age wins. How about that?"

At this point, he paused again, looked at Zuoqiu Qingyu, and gave a refined smile, saying: "Never mind, people might say I'm bullying you this way. How about this: I'll pick five flame stones, and you can pick ten."

Zhou Yuan smiled, just about to say there was no need for that.

However, Su Duan had already waved his hand, stating in a way that brooked no refusal: "It's settled then."

Su Duan wore a playful smile, as he wanted to win decisively, leaving Zhou Yuan no room for argument. Similarly, he also wanted to experience what it felt like to trample this disciple from the Cangxuan Sect underfoot.

As the Young Sect Master of the Yanding Sect, Su Duan was not a profligate heir. He was extremely seasoned in flame stone gambling, with experience no less than that of some masters in this field. Therefore, from the very beginning, he had never considered the possibility of losing.

Around Su Duan, many prodigies from Heiyan Province began to clamor and applaud the refined demeanor Su Duan displayed.

Clearly, they all hoped Zhou Yuan would lose face badly in front of Zuoqiu Qingyu, so that the beauty would no longer favor him.

Looking at Su Duan, who seemed so magnanimous, Zhou Yuan smiled helplessly, and finally nodded, saying: "Since Brother Su is so generous, then let it be so."

Su Duan smiled faintly, then said no more. Under the gaze of countless eyes, he was the first to walk into the stone gambling area, his gaze sweeping across the myriad dark flame stones.

Zhou Yuan looked at his confident back and smiled.

Because no one knew that the Saint Rune in his pupils was already secretly operating. He then saw the rising crimson light within each flame stone in the gambling area.

Clearly, just as he had expected, these flame stones could block perception, but they could not block the prying of the Obstacle-Breaking Saint Rune.

Now, all the flame stones in the hall appeared as clear and distinct as clusters of flames of varying sizes in Zhou Yuan's eyes...

Therefore, facing this situation, Zhou Yuan could only let out a soft sigh.

Even if you are truly skilled in this art, with experience like a master...

But that still won't beat me cheating, will it?