Doomed to Disaster

What kind of immortals are they...?

"'Ghost Hand' Zhang Sanqian, the 'Heavenly Eye' Daoist, and Master Gu He, vice president of the Central Province Source Masters Association."

As Zuo Xiaoqing named those three, she could not conceal the trace of pride in her tone.

"Each of those three is a towering figure in the stone gambling world, the kind who could cause an earthquake with a stomp of their foot."

Compared to them, Ye Xingchen, a kid who had only just emerged in Azure Cloud City, was simply there to make up the numbers.

"So I'm the spare tire." Ye Xingchen sneered, though he was not angry.

Great lineages liked to keep double insurance. They never put all their eggs in one basket.

Those three masters were the main course. At most, he was an after-dinner dessert, or some "folk remedy" brought out in case something went wrong.

Perhaps the Left Clan had sought him out only because they were treating a dead horse as though it were alive, betting on his strange luck.

"If you're scared, it's not too late to withdraw."

Zuo Xiaoqing looked at him, her tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"Those three masters have eccentric tempers. What they hate most is someone showing off an axe before Lu Ban. If a conflict breaks out then, we won't have time to look after you."

"Scared? Junior Sister, that attempt at provoking me is far too shallow."

Ye Xingchen rose to his feet and patted at the nonexistent dust on his robes.

"There are plenty of things in this world that can make me afraid, but those few don't even make the list."

Beneath the Source Heaven Eye, the origins of all things were nothing but illusion.

So-called experience, techniques, and deductions were merely blind men feeling an elephant before absolute ocular arts.

Those three masters might have abundant experience, but when it came to seeing through the essence of things, they were not even worthy of carrying Ye Xingchen's shoes.

Since there were fellow competitors, this show had become even more interesting.

Only by stepping on masters' heads to rise could he gain fame quickly and earn Spirit Stones with real pleasure.

"I feel even more at ease taking this job now."

Ye Xingchen stretched lazily.

"With those three old fellows standing up front to draw the fire, I can happily take it easy."

"If we really uncover something good, I'll take every last coin while keeping my reputation from becoming too conspicuous. Perfect."

As Zuo Tianhe watched the young man before him, utterly devoid of reverence, the smile in his eyes deepened.

This kid was rather interesting.

"Very well. Ten days from now, I shall await you at the Stone Gambling Convention."

Zuo Tianhe rose and saw his guest out.

Ye Xingchen cupped his hands, turned, and headed for the door.

"For these ten days, you will be an honored guest of the Left Clan."

Zuo Xiaoqing spoke coldly and tossed him a Profound Iron token engraved with the character "Left."

"I'll spread the word. The Shen Clan may be domineering, but in Azure Cloud City, they still won't dare touch someone from my Left Clan. So long as you don't court death yourself, no one will dare touch you."

Ye Xingchen caught the token and weighed it in his hand. It had a satisfying heft.

This was not merely a token. It was also a protective talisman.

"Got it. See you around."

Watching Ye Xingchen swagger away, Zuo Xiaoqing furrowed her brows tightly.

"Father, this man acts perversely and covets wealth and profit. Can he really be trusted? We owed those three masters enormous favors..."

"Masters have a master's abilities, but this kid has a wicked streak about him."

Zuo Tianhe sat back down in his grandmaster's chair, his gaze unfathomably deep.

"Sometimes, when the righteous path leads nowhere, you need that wicked streak to break open the situation. Ten million... if it can truly save our ancestor's life, this deal will be well worth it."

"Otherwise... our Left Clan will cease to exist."

East of Azure Cloud City, the Shen Clan estate.

Unlike the Left Clan's refined elegance, the Shen Clan estate exuded an air of grim severity and oppression everywhere.

Tall walls of black stone enclosed the grounds like an iron barrel, while the guards patrolling within all carried fierce auras. Clearly, they were ruthless men who had seen blood.

The inner hall was dimly lit.

Shen Li knelt on the icy floor tiles, cold sweat sliding down his temples and splattering upon the ground like petals in eight directions. He kept his head lowered and barely dared breathe. His usual arrogance and tyranny had long vanished without a trace.

Before him stood a tall middle-aged man with his hands clasped behind his back.

The man wore a dark purple robe embroidered with python patterns. His features were stern, and frost touched his temples. He did not need to deliberately release any pressure; merely standing there, the oppressive aura of one who had long occupied a high position made the air thick as glue.

The Shen Clan head, Shen Wanshan.

"You lost?"

No emotion could be heard in Shen Wanshan's voice, yet it made Shen Li's scalp go numb.

"Y-Yes... this nephew was incompetent." Shen Li's voice trembled. "That kid is somewhat strange. I meant to set him up, but I never expected..."

"Idiot."

Shen Wanshan turned and, without warning, kicked Shen Li squarely in the chest.

Bang!

Shen Li grunted and slid backward several yards, his back slamming heavily into a pillar. A thread of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Without bothering to wipe it away, he scrambled back up on hands and feet and knelt properly again.

"Spirit Stones are a small matter. Losing the Shen Clan's face is the great matter." Shen Wanshan looked down at him. "If Yuan were here, he would never have made such a low-level mistake."

At the mention of "Yuan," Shen Li clenched his teeth. A flash of irrepressible jealousy passed through his eyes, only to vanish instantly, replaced by even more humble obedience.

Shen Yuan.

The Shen Clan's qilin son, possessed of outstanding talent, the future clan head—and a mountain pressing down upon Shen Li's head.

"Uncle is right to reprimand me." Shen Li lowered his head, his voice vicious. "This nephew will take men and deal with that kid right away, then retrieve the jade pendant!"

"Stop."

Shen Wanshan barked coldly.

"Use that pig brain of yours." Shen Wanshan walked to the window and gazed in the direction of the Left Clan, his eyes sinister. "That old fox Zuo Tianhe invited the kid through the Left Clan's gates and even spread word that he is a stone-appraising master specially hired by the Left Clan. If you touch him now, you'll be slapping the Left Clan in the face."

"Are we just going to let this go?" Shen Li asked unwillingly.

"Let it go?"

Shen Wanshan sneered, lightly crushing a withered leaf on the windowsill between his fingers. "The Left Clan is making such a grand display this time, even inviting people from Central Province. They are plotting something major. According to reports from our informants, that old immortal of the Left Clan is nearly finished and urgently needs Innate Spiritual Milk to prolong his life."

Shen Li was startled. "Zuo Feng is dying?"

"The Left Clan wants to use this Stone Gambling Convention to turn things around and save that old thing." A cold gleam flashed in Shen Wanshan's eyes. "Once that old thing dies, the Left Clan will lose its teeth completely, and only two great lineages will remain in Azure Cloud City. Therefore, we absolutely cannot let them get their wish at this Stone Gambling Convention."

He turned and looked at Shen Li, who remained kneeling on the ground. His tone was chilling.

"Let that Ye Xingchen keep his dog life for now. He is merely a jumping clown with a little luck; he cannot stir up any great waves."

"Yuan will emerge from seclusion soon. He happens to need a whetstone."

"Once the Stone Gambling Convention is over, leave him for Yuan to deal with."

"Leave."

"Yes."

As though granted a great pardon, Shen Li withdrew from the inner hall.

Shen Wanshan stood alone in the darkness, watching the gloomy sky outside the window. A savage curve pulled at the corner of his lips.

"Zuo Tianhe, this round, you are doomed to disaster..."