The Banished Immortal and the Rogue

Ten days of secluded cultivation passed in the blink of an eye.

Ye Xingchen pushed open his door, and the sunlight was somewhat dazzling.

He lowered his head and examined himself.

After being scoured and tempered by Chaos Spiritual Power, every muscle on his body was now taut as jade, containing terrifying explosive force capable of shattering boulders.

That sense of power had not grown wildly and crudely. It was like a treasured sword sheathed with its edge concealed—beneath its gentle warmth lay nothing but killing intent.

He changed into a snow-white robe and casually tied a green silk sash around his waist.

There were no superfluous ornaments. Only his ink-black hair was pinned up with a wooden hairpin, with several loose strands hanging before his forehead.

He looked himself over in the bronze mirror.

The youth in the mirror had sword-like brows and starry eyes. His gaze was so deep it seemed to contain two unformed night skies; one look was enough to make one feel as if their mind would be drawn in.

The otherworldly aura emanating from within him had completely erased his former mercenary air. In its place was an aloof detachment that regarded all things as straw dogs.

"Tsk, with a face like this, back in my previous life, I'd definitely have been the dream of nine hundred million girls. One glance, and they'd be doomed for life."

Ye Xingchen narcissistically raised a brow and stepped outside.

Azure Cloud City was exceptionally bustling today. News of the once-in-a-decade Stone Gambling Convention at Myriad Treasures Pavilion had long spread through every street and alley. Even the beggars by the roadside were discussing which family might uncover an unparalleled treasure this time.

As Ye Xingchen walked down Azure Cloud City's main street, the number of gazes directed at him visibly increased.

Whether they were aunties carrying baskets or female cultivators with swords at their sides, once their eyes landed on him, they found it difficult to look away.

His head-turning rate was a genuine one hundred percent.

Ye Xingchen paid them no mind. His pace remained unhurried as he headed straight toward Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

Zuo Xiaoqing had already been waiting for quite some time.

Today, she wore a light-purple fitted outfit that outlined her tall, sleek figure. Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail, making her look spirited and heroic.

"That bastard actually dared to make this young lady wait so long!"

Just as she muttered to herself, a white figure silently stopped before her.

Zuo Xiaoqing instinctively looked up, her eyes narrowing.

The youth before her stood tall and straight, surrounded by an indescribable bearing. It was the kind of "presence" found only in Nascent Soul old monsters who had long occupied high positions, or among peerless prodigies.

Though he stood in the middle of a busy market, it was as if he carried his own barrier, utterly out of place amid the surrounding clamor. He looked every inch like a banished immortal untouched by mortal dust.

What a handsome young master!

For a moment, Zuo Xiaoqing did not even recognize him. She thought he was some holy land's saint son traveling incognito—until that "banished immortal" suddenly flashed a wide grin.

With that smile, the entire style changed.

Three parts rogueishness, seven parts wicked mischief, and his punchable factor shot straight through the roof.

Ye Xingchen leaned forward, and his handsome face instantly enlarged in Zuo Xiaoqing's pupils. The tips of their noses nearly collided.

"Stunned silly from looking at me?"

Ye Xingchen raised a brow, lowering his voice with a trace of teasing. "Miss Zuo, if you've taken a fancy to me, just say so. Since we know each other, I'll give you a twenty-percent discount."

"..."

That banished-immortal filter instantly shattered all over the floor.

Zuo Xiaoqing's budding romantic thoughts were fed to the dogs on the spot, and embarrassment and fury surged straight to her head.

She took half a step back, gritting her teeth as she glared at that still-handsome face—a face she now only wanted to punch viciously.

"Ye. Xing. Chen!"

"I'm here. I'm not deaf. I can hear you."

Ye Xingchen dug at his ear, returning to his lazy demeanor.

Zuo Xiaoqing drew a deep breath. This guy really was still that money-grubbing scoundrel. She must have been blind just now.

"Follow me."

She snorted and turned to lead the way.

The two walked side by side toward the entrance of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

The guards at the entrance were about to raise their hands to stop them when Zuo Xiaoqing casually flicked out a purple-gold token.

The guard caught the token and lowered his head for a look. Realizing its owner was no small figure, he immediately stepped aside respectfully.

The two headed straight for the sandalwood staircase leading to the second floor.

"The Stone Gambling Convention is on the second and third floors." As Zuo Xiaoqing walked, she explained in a somewhat proud tone, "Anyone who can enter the second floor today is either rich or noble, or else a powerhouse above the Foundation Establishment Realm. Ordinary people cannot even touch the threshold."

The instant they stepped onto the second floor, the atmosphere changed completely.

The noise outside was sealed away by an array, replaced by the elegant strains of a refined qin. The spiritual energy here was more than three times denser than outside; one breath made even one's lungs feel clear and open. Thick snow-fox fur carpets covered the floor, making no sound beneath their feet. The extravagance was enough to make people hate the rich.

The cultivators coming and going were richly dressed, each holding themselves with lofty airs. Every gesture seemed to be acting out, "I am nobility."

Ye Xingchen casually swept his gaze around and sensed several fairly powerful auras. Foundation Establishment cultivators were everywhere here, like cabbages in a field, and he could even vaguely detect several Core Formation Realm pressures.

"Looks like this gamble is causing quite a stir," Ye Xingchen remarked casually.

"Of course." Zuo Xiaoqing's expression grew more solemn. "Besides the three great families of Azure Cloud City—the Zuo, Shen, and Lin families—even the City Lord has come. There are also sects from the mountains joining the fun: the Acacia Sect, Ageless Mountain, Azure Cloud Gate... Even our First Saint Sect has elders in attendance."

"First Saint Sect came too? Which big shot?" Ye Xingchen was a little curious.

"You'll find out when the time comes. Stop asking!"

After passing through a long corridor, the two arrived before an ornately carved redwood door.

A plaque reading "Heaven No. 3" hung upon it. Two guards in black armor stood outside, their auras steady and profound. They were actually experts at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage—this display truly spared no expense.

Upon seeing Zuo Xiaoqing, the two guards cupped their fists in greeting and pushed open the doors.

A scent of high-grade spiritual tea mixed with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere rushed straight at them.

The private room was enormous and decorated in magnificent splendor. Famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, while dragon saliva incense worth a fortune burned in the corners. Every detail screamed, "I have money."

A massive round table stood in the center of the room, with several people already seated around it.

At the seat of honor, Zuo Tianhe, the Left Clan's patriarch, sat upright with a teacup in hand. Yet the lid kept lightly tapping against the cup's rim, making soft clinks. Clearly, he was panicking like hell inside.

To his left sat three elderly men.

The three wore different clothes, but their expressions were astonishingly identical—the arrogance of people who had spent too long being held aloft in the clouds, looking down on others through their nostrils.

Hearing the door open, everyone's gazes snapped toward them.

The three elders' eyes fell upon Ye Xingchen. At first, they were struck by the youth's appearance, but after sensing the faint, almost imperceptible fluctuations of the Qi Refining Stage around him, their brows all furrowed into the shape of the character for river.

The air seemed to freeze.

Completely unaware of it, Ye Xingchen strode in carelessly. His gaze swept around the room before finally landing on Zuo Tianhe, whom he greeted with a grin.

"Patriarch Zuo, you look pretty good. Seems you've got the money ready?"

Zuo Tianhe's mouth twitched wildly. This brat opened his mouth and immediately talked about money.

Before Zuo Tianhe could speak, one of the gaunt, sinister-eyed elders suddenly sneered and slammed his hand heavily onto the table.

Slap!

The crisp sound was especially piercing in the silent private room, brimming with provocation.

"Patriarch Zuo."