Chapter 394: High Stakes

The evaluation began soon after.

First, an elder slashed each of the twelve foxes.

After that, twelve disciples were asked to monitor the time it took to stop each fox’s bleeding.

’The cultivation world is too cruel.’ Shen Xu thought, but still got down to business.

Half an hour later, Yang Zitao called an end to the assessment, and the elders began assessing the times.

“Disciple Zhang’s blood clotting grass took effect in an average of eight breaths, and the bleeding stopped completely within a cup of tea.” Yang Zitao announced and quickly continued.

“Disciple Shen’s took effect in three breaths and required an incense stick to completely stop the bleeding.” He said, and the square erupted in uproar.

“Is this the difference between a blood clotting grass with a spiritual aura value of seventy-two and that with a value of eighty-eight?” Someone asked.

“The difference is quite big.” Another said.

“Is it just me, or are the challenges becoming unpredictable?”

“It’s a bit too early to say that, don’t you think?”

“You may be right, but I am beginning to think that Shen Xu and Zhen Yuan may pull it off. Maybe they will win six challenges.”

“It’s doubtful.” Someone said and quickly continued.

“Even if they have mastered all the arts, how long can they endure the back-to-back challenges? Think about it: what if they are injured during the martial arts or swordsmanship challenges? Can they still win the remaining competitions?”

“Did anyone see which senior brother drew the third challenge?”

“I saw it.” A spectator said, smiled and revealed what he knew.

“It was senior sister Zhou Yanyu.”

“Senior sister Zhou is a talisman master, so the next challenge is about talismans. Who do you think will take the challenge, Shen Xu or Zhen Yuan?”

“Let’s hope it’s fellow Daoist Zhen. Fellow Daoist Shen is likely exhausted from participating in two challenges.”

“Are you supporting fellow Daoist Shen and fellow Daoist Zhen?”

“Not really.” Someone answered and smirked.

“I am just here for the show, not to support anyone.”

“I am secretly rooting for fellow Daoist Shen and fellow Daoist Zhen.” Another whispered.

“Why? Do you know them?”

“I don’t know them, but I often buy wine from their shop. It would be a pity if I could no longer buy their wine.”

“I am also secretly supporting them.” A double cultivator said with a thoughtful expression.

“You also like their wine?”

However, the double shook his head and hesitated before deciding to speak his mind.

“It’s not the first time that someone has changed their cultivation to enter the sect. In the end, the culprits are fined, sent to the mines for a few years or given some other reasonable punishment. Why is it that fellow Daoist Shen and fellow Daoist Zhen have been given a life sentence in the mines?”

“This fellow Daoist, do you really not know, or are you acting dumb?”

“I know about the beating, but is that reason enough to imprison the two in the mines for a lifetime?”

“The sect wouldn’t care if it were other people. After all, fighting is part of a cultivator’s journey. Unfortunately, Shen Xu and Zhen Yuan beat the sect master’s son. They are already lucky that the sect has allowed them to redeem themselves.”

While the spectators were talking, the challenge ended, and the wagered goods were handed over before the two parties returned to their seats.

Seeing Shen Xu, Zhen Yuan smiled and stood to help the double carry the fox cage.

[Ayuan, what’s going on with the fox?] Shen Xu asked in an eager voice.

However, Zhen Yuan shook his head before speaking.

[It has complex laws, but I am not sure what it is.] He said.

[Could it be a nine-tailed fox?] The double asked with an expectant expression.

After all, in the novel, Lin Mengmeng found and contracted a nine-tailed fox in the Tianxuan continent.

Thinking of this, Shen Xu suddenly frowned.

’That’s not right.’ He thought.

In the book, Xiao Weimin and his harem were not disciples of the Tianxuan sect.

That said, they visited the sect once, but by then, Lin Mengmeng had already contracted the nine-tailed fox.

’I can’t remember where she found the fox.’ Shen Xu thought and narrowed his eyes, trying to recall everything about the book.

Unfortunately, he didn’t find a corresponding memory and could only assume he skipped that part of the book.

[Its laws are more complex than Feng Xue’s.] Zhen Yuan said, and Shen Xu couldn’t help but be surprised.

[Feng Xue is a yin-yang divine monster. Only primordial monsters have more complex laws than yin-yang divine monsters.] The double stated with barely concealed excitement.

[The fox should be a primordial monster, but I don’t know its identity.] Zhen Yuan confirmed, but this confused the double.

[Why is a primordial monster in such a miserable state?] He asked.

After Zhen Yuan attracted his attention to the fox, Shen Xu used his third eye to see through the fox’s illusion.

Unfortunately, maybe his level was not high enough, so he could only see that the fox was seriously injured, but not much else.

[We will know when you contract it.] Zhen Yuan said, and the double nodded before suddenly frowning.

[Although I haven’t examined it thoroughly, I can already tell that a simple healing pill won’t be enough to cure it.]

[Don’t fret. Just focus on keeping it alive, we will figure out everything else after the challenges.]

Just after Zhen Yuan said that, Yang Zitao asked the participants of the third challenge to enter the stage.

Seeing Zhen Yuan enter the stage, the spectators couldn’t help but be excited.

After all, they had seen what Shen Xu could do but had yet to see what Zhen Yuan was made of.

“You should give up before you embarrass yourself.” An arrogant voice resounded in the square.

Looking over, Zhen Yuan saw a female cultivator.

At a glance, she looked young, but everything about her revealed her confidence and arrogance.

However, Zhen Yuan was not intimidated.

In his heart, the opponent didn’t matter. What mattered was winning the challenge and getting the promised treasures.

“Let’s get to it.” He said with an indifferent expression.

Hearing this, the female cultivator frowned, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes.

With her appearance, talent, and family background, no one had ever treated her with such indifference.

Facing the perceived slight, her heart filled with anger, and a vicious thought crossed her mind.

“What’s the hurry?” She said and quickly continued.

“Do you dare to make a bet?” She asked.

“What are the stakes?” Zhen Yuan asked.

“If I win, you will be my slave for one hundred years, and if you win, I will be your slave for the same duration.” She said, and Zhen Yuan subconsciously frowned.

At the same time, countless spectators gasped, at a loss for what to say.

After all, previous stakes were precious materials, so why did the wager suddenly turn into slavery?

“I don’t need a slave.” Zhen Yuan said in a matter-of-fact voice.

“Who are you pretending for? Aren’t you just afraid of losing the wager?” The female cultivator, Zhou Yanyu, sneered.

“Cut the nonsense. Either suggest something valuable or abandon the wager.” Zhen Yuan said, completely losing his patience with the inexplicable female cultivator.

“Something valuable…” Zhou Yanyu clenched her hands and forcibly suppressed the killing intent that was leaking out of her body.

“You dare imply that I am worthless?” She asked through gritted teeth, but suddenly sneered.

“Just the fact that I am a woman ensures that I am worth more than your wife, who is neither male nor female.”

Zhen Yuan narrowed his eyes when he heard this.

He was originally impatient with the inexplicable woman.

However, the moment she disdained Shen Xu, the stakes changed, and Zhen Yuan suddenly wanted to crush her.

“I will end you.” He said in a low voice, but Zhou Yanyu heard it.

“End me?” Zhou Yanyu opened her mouth, and a derisive laughter filled the square.

This was the reaction she was looking for!

Zhou Yanyu liked Xuanyuan Ze.

Because of this, she hated Shen Xu for attracting Xuanyuan Ze’s attention and, most importantly, for not appreciating the blessing.

’Today, I will avenge brother Ze.’ She thought.

“I will change the terms since you are too scared to take the bet.” Zhou Yanyu said and quickly continued.

“If I win, you will swear to the way of heaven that your cultivation will not progress for the next ten thousand years. Do you dare?” She asked, and Zhen Yuan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

This kind of vow was useless to him.

However, since the woman was desperate to die, Zhen Yuan would definitely lend a hand.

After all, the woman had disdained Shen Xu, which was the dragon scale that Zhen Yuan didn’t allow anyone to touch.

At this time, he smiled with a meaningful expression.

“Why wouldn’t I dare but do you?” He asked.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep