Chapter 869: Gamble Duel

When Zuo Ya spoke, Yi Qiushui's bright eyes flashed with coldness. Intelligent as she was, how could she not know Zuo Ya's malicious intent? Zuo Ya was clearly trying to maliciously tarnish the reputation of Wind Pavilion and Zhou Yuan.

Zuo Ya saw the coldness in Yi Qiushui's eyes, but merely smiled smugly and stated, "What? Yi Qiushui, do you disagree? Who here doesn't know Senior Brother Lu Xiao's strength? Fire Pavilion has dominated the four pavilions for so many years, so why has Wind Pavilion repeatedly gained power since Zhou Yuan arrived?"

"He's just at the mid-Divine Dwelling stage. Does he truly possess such great ability? It's simply laughable!"

"So, if there's no trickery involved, I simply don't believe it!"

Many of the young men and women around pondered her words. Wind Pavilion's recent achievements had indeed been too brilliant, and all of this was accomplished under the leadership of someone who was previously an unknown mid-Divine Dwelling stage practitioner. To a certain extent, this was truly astonishing.

Upon seeing Zuo Ya slander Zhou Yuan, Yi Dong'er's small face flushed with anger, and she was about to retort.

However, Yi Qiushui stopped her. She stared at the aggressive Zuo Ya and calmly said, "During the Heavenly Flame Ritual, both Grand Elders were personally present. Are you suggesting that Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan cheated, and by extension, accusing the two Grand Elders of being foolish?"

Hearing this, Zuo Ya's expression immediately changed. Yi Qiushui's counterattack was indeed ruthless, directly levying a massive accusation. This accusation was something she couldn't bear, and even the elders in her family couldn't afford to be associated with it. After all, both Grand Elder Xi Jing and Sect Master Xuan Kun were supreme beings in the Tianyuan Region.

The young men and women around nodded in agreement. They didn't know how Zhou Yuan had truly accomplished it, but to claim he cheated—how could he possibly deceive the eyes of two Grand Elders?

They were Law Domain stage experts!

Zuo Ya's gaze flickered. She dared not dwell on that point and merely sneered, "Yi Qiushui, sharp words won't change anything. The Chief Pavilion Master competition is coming soon, and then Senior Brother Lu Xiao will naturally make Zhou Yuan understand what a clown he is!"

"When Senior Brother Lu Xiao becomes the Chief Pavilion Master, hmph, Wind Pavilion will have to return all the advantages it gained previously!"

As she spoke of Lu Xiao, deep admiration filled Zuo Ya's eyes, while a look of disdain and contempt appeared when Zhou Yuan was mentioned.

In her view, someone like Zhou Yuan was simply unworthy of comparison to Lu Xiao. Moreover, Wind Pavilion's previous victories were only because Lu Xiao hadn't personally intervened, and the Heavenly Flame Ritual emphasized spiritual power, which wasn't Lu Xiao's strong suit.

Otherwise, if Lu Xiao had made his move, how could Zhou Yuan have risen to power?

Yi Qiushui's beautiful face was impassive as she said, "The results aren't out yet, and you're celebrating a bit too early. Aren't you afraid of being humiliated when the outcome is revealed? Haven't Fire Pavilion learned enough lessons over the past few months regarding this matter?"

Zuo Ya retorted sharply, refusing to yield, "Those victories were merely trivial tricks, Yi Qiushui. You know perfectly well what the outcome of this Chief Pavilion Master competition will be!"

Yi Qiushui clenched her jade-like hand within her sleeve, her gaze icy.

"What? Are you unconvinced?"

Zuo Ya sneered, "If you're unconvinced, dare you make a bet with me? Let's bet on whether the Chief Pavilion Master position this time will go to Senior Brother Lu Xiao or your Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan?"

"The stakes are simple: three thousand Genesis Essence coins. Do you dare?"

Those who understood gasped. Three thousand Genesis Essence coins was no small sum; even for Zuo Ya, a Vice Pavilion Master of Fire Pavilion, it would likely be most of her accumulated wealth over the years.

However, Yi Qiushui simply sneered at Zuo Ya's challenge, ignoring it. She pulled Yi Dong'er and turned to leave.

It was clearly a trap set by Zuo Ya. If Yi Qiushui lost the bet, Zuo Ya would use it as an excuse to widely publicize and discredit Wind Pavilion.

"It seems you, Yi Qiushui, also know that your Pavilion Master stands no chance. Compared to Senior Brother Lu Xiao, Zhou Yuan is nothing but a firefly," Zuo Ya said with a slight smile, her words exceptionally sharp.

"Yi Qiushui, I advise you to persuade your Pavilion Master. If he concedes early, he might avoid public humiliation. I've heard that Senior Brother Lu Xiao is quite displeased with him, and he probably won't hold back at all in this Chief Pavilion Master competition."

Yi Qiushui's footsteps halted. Her usually gentle face was now covered in a frosty expression.

Zuo Ya's public insult towards Zhou Yuan was truly hard for her to stomach, even though she knew Zuo Ya was doing it deliberately to provoke her.

As a Vice Pavilion Master of Wind Pavilion herself now, she couldn't allow Zuo Ya to disparage Wind Pavilion.

So, she slowly turned around, her eyes coldly fixed on Zuo Ya.

Zuo Ya, however, seemed unconcerned and sneered, "What? Are you finally going to bet?"

Yi Qiushui said calmly, "Since you're so keen on betting, I'll humor you this once. But your stake is a bit petty."

Zuo Ya's delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, and anger flashed in her eyes. But she quickly suppressed it and sneered, "Then what do you want?"

"Ten thousand Genesis Essence coins," Yi Qiushui stated, staring at Zuo Ya, enunciating each word. "Since you're so eager to bet, let's make it a big one. If you don't have the guts, then shut your mouth!"

Everyone around was stunned. Ten thousand Genesis Essence coins was an absolutely massive sum. Even with Yi Qiushui and Zuo Ya's backgrounds, losing such a bet would certainly be a crippling blow.

Clearly, Yi Qiushui was truly angered.

Zuo Ya's cheeks stiffened, and for a moment, she dared not speak. If she lost ten thousand Genesis Essence coins, would she even be able to continue her cultivation in the future?

Was this Yi Qiushui a lunatic?!

She had only intended to provoke Yi Qiushui, but never expected the latter to be so audacious.

"What, are you scared now?" Yi Qiushui stared coldly at Zuo Ya, her tone laced with disdain.

Zuo Ya's face alternated between pale and flushed. She looked at Yi Qiushui's scornful gaze, and her heart filled with extreme irritation. Finally, she steeled herself and sneered, "Since you, Yi Qiushui, are so eager to give me Genesis Essence coins, how could I refuse?"

"Ten thousand it is!"

Although she was greatly shaken by the enormous sum of ten thousand Genesis Essence coins, Zuo Ya believed it was merely Yi Qiushui's angry outburst. After all, she didn't think Zhou Yuan, a mid-Divine Dwelling stage practitioner, could possibly be a match for Lu Xiao!

Those previous victories were undoubtedly laughable in the face of absolute power.

"Yi Qiushui, we've all noted this bet. I hope you won't back out when the time comes, otherwise, I'll have no choice but to demand it from Elder Yi Yan!" Zuo Ya declared.

"You remember it too," Yi Qiushui retorted, "if you don't honor your word, I'll also seek out an elder from your Zuo family."

Yi Qiushui's eyes were icy. She didn't linger, pulling Yi Dong'er with her as she turned and walked away.

Zuo Ya scoffed coldly and also departed directly.

As they left, the young men and women present finally erupted in murmurs of shock. This bet would likely spread far and wide very soon...

"Sister, will Brother Zhou Yuan win?" Yi Dong'er whispered with some worry on their way home. She wasn't entirely ignorant; she had even heard of Lu Xiao's reputation.

Yi Qiushui gently stroked Yi Dong'er's head, pondering slightly. Zhou Yuan's confident face and gaze flashed through her mind. She then pressed her red lips together, a bright arc forming at the corner of her mouth, and nodded firmly.

"He will definitely win!"

"If he loses, then I'll just have to sell myself to him, working for him to earn the bet."

"Hehe, Sister, I bet you'd rather he lose!"

"You're asking for a beating!"