But the final outcome disappointed Shen Qingyue, because no one brought up anything related to the Sound-Mixing Bell in the hall.
After all the disciples had left the hall.
An uproar broke out inside.
The Grand Elder was the first to jump to his feet, looking radiant and thoroughly delighted. "I still remember our wager from back then! I told you that boy wouldn't choose any of those female disciples you named."
The Third Elder refused to admit he had lost. "You did say that, but you never said he would give the Sound-Mixing Bell to some other female disciple, either."
Holding a blue-green stone, the Grand Elder pointed at it. "Don't even think of wriggling out of this. I still have the Recording Stone!"
Luo Cang waved his fan. "Even with the Recording Stone, I still don't think this counts as your victory, Grand Elder."
The Sixth Elder beat his breast in anguish. "Tell me, with so many beautiful, mature female cultivators around, why did he choose a little girl who still reeks of milk?"
It turned out to be a wager the Peak Masters and Elders had made seventy years ago.
Seventy years ago, not long after Xia Jue reached Core Formation, he entered his first Secret Realm since his breakthrough. He reaped a rich harvest there, acquiring three Spirit Artifacts in all, one of which was a pair of Sound-Mixing Bells.
Yes, a pair. Besides confusing enemies, the paired Sound-Mixing Bells could also transmit voices at critical moments without a Message Talisman. As long as the users had not entered a Secret Realm, the Sound-Mixing Bells would work.
Once some of the female cultivators learned that Xia Jue had such a pair of Sound-Mixing Bells, they began entertaining little schemes of their own, trying every possible approach