East Mountain Secret Realm

"This Wang Family's scheming is truly vicious."

Amid the crowd, an elderly cultivator sighed softly as he stroked his beard. "You should know that the East Mountain Secret Realm will open in three years."

At those words, several young men nearby had yet to react, but the more experienced cultivators—

Their faces revealed sudden understanding.

The East Mountain Secret Realm was a great opportunity that came only once every fifty years in the East Mountain Islands.

Although the Secret Realm was fraught with danger, treasures were scattered everywhere. In particular, there was the legendary "Nascent Soul Fruit," which could assist with Nascent Soul Formation.

It was even more a divine treasure that countless Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators dreamed of obtaining.

But the Secret Realm had restrictions...

Only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators could enter.

If the Zhang Family accepted this desperate gamble, then regardless of victory or defeat—even if they were lucky enough to win in the end—those ten Foundation Establishment cultivators would inevitably suffer heavy casualties on the Life and Death Arena.

When that happened, what would the Zhang Family use to explore the Secret Realm?

Without the Secret Realm's resources...

What would the Zhang Family use over the next fifty years to nurture Golden Core True Persons? Nascent Soul Cultivators?

"This move of cutting the firewood out from under the pot is vicious beyond measure."

Someone secretly shook his head. "The Wang Family doesn't merely want to swallow the Zhang Family's mine vein now—they also want to sever the Zhang Family's path into the future."

Everyone's gazes converged on the steps before the Zhang Family's main hall.

They were waiting—waiting for the Zhang Family's response.

Would they swallow their anger, admit their inferiority, and let the Wang Family humiliate them?

Or would they grit their teeth and accept this doomed wager—

Gambling the family's future for that slender ray of hope?

The Zhang Family's Great Elder, Zhang Yunhai, wore an expression of extreme ugliness.

He turned to look at the several elders behind him and found that the Second Elder, Zhang Yunhai, and the Third Elder, Zhang Yunwu, also looked troubled.

"Big Brother, we can't accept this Challenge Letter..."

The Third Elder lowered his voice, his tone hurried. "You know our family's strength. Excluding those too old to fight, we have only so many capable Foundation Establishment cultivators at most."

"If they all die on the Arena, half the sky of our Zhang Family will truly collapse!"

"But what else can we do if we refuse?"

Zhang Yunhai had a fierce temper. Though he knew the family's circumstances, what he felt even more strongly was his pent-up humiliation. "With all eyes watching us, if we admit defeat and hand over our ancestral Spiritual Vein, how will the Zhang Family ever raise its banner again?"

"Those small families that depend on us will probably defect to the Wang Family the very next day!"

Caught between a rock and a hard place. This was an open scheme.

Wang Teng stood below the steps with his arms crossed.

A cold smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

He thoroughly enjoyed forcing an opponent into a desperate situation—

It felt even better than ordering the top courtesan at a brothel.

"What's wrong? Has Family Head Zhang still not made up his mind?"

Wang Teng shouted mockingly. "If you really can't gather ten men who aren't afraid to die, that's fine, too."

"As long as you hand over the deed to that Spiritual Vein, this Young Master can show mercy and spare you this bout of bloodshed."

"After all, Heaven has a virtue of cherishing life. Hahahaha!"

The Wang Family's lackeys burst into uproarious laughter as well, their laughter grating on the ears.

Zhang Yunshan trembled with rage and was just about to thunder a rebuke when Zhang Chen's palm lightly pressed against his shoulder.

"Father, you don't need to get worked up over a clown like this."

Zhang Chen slowly stepped out from behind the crowd.

Today, he wore a dark-colored brocade robe, with the jade pendant symbolizing his status as Young Master hanging at his waist. He looked calm and composed, without the slightest trace of panic at the looming disaster.

"Chen'er, you..."

Zhang Yunshan froze.

Zhang Chen offered no explanation. He merely gave his father a reassuring look before walking straight up to Wang Teng.

He did not look at Wang Teng. Instead, he reached out directly—

And took the gold-edged Challenge Letter, filled with provocative words, from Zhang Yunshan's hand.

"This wager is accepted by my Zhang Family."

Yet those words rang in everyone's ears no less loudly than a peal of thunder.

"He accepted?! That good-for-nothing really accepted?!"

"He's insane! He's absolutely insane! Does he even know what this means?"

"Ah, as expected, mud can never support a wall. For the sake of face, he's even thrown away everything beneath it."

The surrounding discussions rose and fell in waves, most filled with pity and mockery.

Even Lin Qingxue looked at her Husband in surprise, but she quickly returned to her calm.

Since her Husband had made his decision, all she needed to do was ensure the sword in her hand was sharp enough.

Wang Teng clearly had not expected Zhang Chen to agree so readily.

He froze for a moment, and then the mockery in his eyes deepened.

"Good! What courage!"

Wang Teng raised a thumbs-up, his tone exaggerated. "As expected of the Zhang Family's Young Master! Since that's the case, sign and seal it, so you won't go back on your word."

As he spoke, he gestured for his men to bring ink and a brush.

"Wait."

Zhang Chen suddenly raised his hand and stopped him.

"What? Are you afraid?"

Wang Teng sneered. "It's too late to go back on your word now."

"Afraid?"

Zhang Chen chuckled softly and flicked the Challenge Letter in his hand. "I just feel that since this is a desperate gamble, the stakes are a little too shabby."

"Shabby?"

Wang Teng's eyes widened. "A Grade 2 High-grade Spiritual Vein is worth a fortune, and you call that shabby?"

"For entities the size of the Zhang Family and Wang Family, a Spiritual Vein is certainly precious, but it only damages the sinews and bones. It won't kill anyone."

Zhang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped forward and stared directly into Wang Teng's eyes. "Since we're playing, why not make it a little bigger?"