When Trouble Came, It Came with a Roar

"Should we take the initiative?"

Xiao Qian looked at Du Niansheng:

"What does the sect leader mean?"

The current situation is still quite passive for the Withering and Flourishing Sect.

Du Niansheng lowered his eyelids slightly and said slowly:

"Gambling war."

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Xiao Qian's eyes.

How to gamble, and what to gamble on?

Judging from the Shen Clan's willingness to forgo any benefits in order to make a move, it's clear they have no intention of letting things go easily with the Withering and Flourishing Sect.

Du Niansheng glanced at Xiao Qian and reminded him:

"That disciple, who Aptitude of a Great Emperor, intends to challenge a junior member of the Shen Clan."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qian's expression changed drastically:

"Does the sect leader mean he wants to gamble on this matter?"

Du Niansheng nodded slightly.

"But what should be the stakes?" Xiao Qian asked.

Du Niansheng didn't answer, but said, "That's why this is where the bet is."

Having said that, he looked outside, remained silent for a long time, and then said:

"Over the years, the decline of our Withering and Flourishing Sect has become increasingly apparent. Several sect leaders have made efforts to reverse this trend, but all have had little effect."

"Perhaps sometimes it's not that we didn't try hard enough, or that our efforts were useless, but rather that we failed to try hard enough at the crucial moment."

"Now, for my Withering and Flourishing Sect, this is a crucial moment."

Du Niansheng paused, then became serious:

"If the gamble is lost, the demise of the Withering and Flourishing Sect will be greatly accelerated; if the gamble is won, there is hope of breaking the status quo and using a trivial matter as a pretext to intimidate all parties."

As he spoke, Du Niansheng turned his head and looked at Xiao Qian:

"What do you think, to gamble or not to gamble?"

Xiao Qian remained silent for a long time, opened his mouth, and finally said:

"This is no small matter; I trust the sect leader's judgment."

Du Niansheng suddenly laughed and said:

"Now we must take the lead and stand on his side to win the support of his disciple. The Aptitude of a Great Emperor may not care about us, but as long as he cares about his disciple, we will have a sliver of hope."

"Conversely, if we remain unknown and unnoticed, how can we expect strangers to remember us?"

After speaking, Du Niansheng took out a seal, used paper as a pen, and wrote down the decree of becoming the sect leader.

Snap!

The seal was lost.

The declaration of war representing the Withering and Flourishing Sect was already prepared.

Even so, we should still inquire about this matter.

As soon as the voice faded, Du Niansheng disappeared.

Lin Xiao came back to his senses, his expression filled with emotion:

"I never imagined that this trip would lead to such trouble."

Over the years, the Withering and Flourishing Sect has been trying its best to maintain stability and avoid any major upheavals.

Now, however, there is a sense that if things don't descend into chaos, all is well; but if chaos does occur, it will be astonishing.

"Success is certainly good, but Shen Wentian of the Shen Clan, nurtured with the full strength of his clan, is by no means an ordinary prodigy. Ultimately, victory is not guaranteed..."

As he spoke, Xiao Qian suddenly stopped, shook his head, and looked quite curious:

"No wonder I could only be a hall master; I was thinking too simply."

The cultivation world isn't just about winning and losing, or fighting and killing.

Although the Aptitude of a Great Emperor does not indicate his status, he is still his disciple.

With this background, regardless of strength or methods, can the odds of them truly be evenly matched?

Not long after.

The news of the gambling match at the Withering and Flourishing Sect spread.

In an instant, it attracted even more attention than the Shen Clan's previous statements to the outside world.

"Something must have happened recently. Why is the Withering and Flourishing Sect making such a big fuss? Did the Shen Clan do something to them? Judging from their actions, they're gambling with the future and fate of their entire sect."

"Tsk tsk, the various rumors are really confusing. One minute the news was that the Withering and Flourishing Sect killed the Shen Clan's deputy patriarch, and now, the Withering and Flourishing Sect is making this bet as if they suffered some great injustice and are using it to prove their innocence. Everyone's telling their own version of events."

"Interesting. It's rare to see a force go to such lengths. The actions of the Withering and Flourishing Sect will likely attract top-tier forces to participate; that's probably their real intention."

"It's just a publicity stunt. For a junior member of the Withering and Flourishing Sect to challenge a junior prodigy of the Shen Clan is incredibly difficult, let alone one against a hundred. They have almost no chance of winning. They always say this just to attract attention."

"We haven't had much information on Shen Tianwen of the Shen Clan over the years, but this is a good opportunity. If this junior from the Withering and Flourishing Sect can really get Shen Tianwen help, then regardless of whether we win or lose, he can provide some assistance. It's worth going to see for ourselves."

"..."

This matter has attracted attention and discussion from all sides.

Nothing more.

The truth is that the bet wagered by the Withering and Flourishing Sect this time was far too bold, even arrogant.

He single-handedly challenged one hundred younger members of the Shen Clan.

Given the dire state of the Withering and Flourishing Sect over the years, such a gamble is utterly futile.

Furthermore, if the Withering and Flourishing Sect loses this bet, the things they have to do almost put themselves in a situation where they could die at any moment.

Putting everything else aside, just shutting down all the formations for a day.

A day is not long for a practitioner.

But for other forces that are prepared, there is simply too much they can do.

That's why.

The first reaction of most people and forces upon learning of this was that "Withering and Flourishing Sect is just trying to attract attention."

After all, saying something and doing something are often two completely different things.

Daring to speak out doesn't necessarily mean daring to act.

However, some people have other speculations about this.

In recent years, has the Withering and Flourishing Sect been biding its time, or is it truly gradually declining in power?

Is this latest audacious betting battle an attempt to rebuild the Ming Dynasty by stepping on the Shen Clan?

After all, the Withering and Flourishing Sect is a long-established power, no matter what.

Without a reason, how could someone make such an arrogant and even childish declaration of war?

Consequently, various speculations and rumors quickly spread.

With the mentality that "those who attend funerals don't mind if it's too grand," the matter quickly spread and attracted attention.

The Shen Clan, which instigated this incident, has ironically become the one waiting for a response from all sides.

Shen Clan.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!"

Upon learning of the gambling match at the Withering and Flourishing Sect, Shen Tianxun sneered repeatedly:

"Du Niansheng of the Withering and Flourishing Sect, you've really gotten yourself into trouble."

"My son alone can defeat your juniors now, and a hundred years from now, he can also defeat your elders and children. I haven't even had Tianwen its authority yet, and your Withering and Flourishing Sect dares to bring this up first."

He had absolute confidence in Shen Tianwen's strength.

After all, in terms of sheer strength of bloodline, no one since the progenitor of bloodlines can surpass him.

Looking at the younger generation in the Misty Clear Realm, even disregarding their cultivation level, they must be among the top.

But now, the meaning of the Withering and Flourishing Sect is clearly that they don't take these things seriously.

"However," Shen Tianxun clearly didn't feel much resentment.

After all, something that is absolutely impossible to do is not worth mentioning at all.

"That reminds me, Tianwen cultivated for so many years, it's indeed time for me to establish my authority."

"Since your Withering and Flourishing Sect is willing to lower yourself as a stepping stone, why shouldn't we step down?"

A smile appeared on Shen Tianxun's face.

I thought the Withering and Flourishing Sect would remain silent.

But now, although things are going against my wishes, they are moving in the direction I want.

He had originally planned to give up all the benefits of the Withering and Flourishing Sect.

And now...

He wants them all!

As for this so-called betting war...

Shen Tianxun knew very well that for some forces, once the arrow was released, there was still a way to turn back, but for others, once the arrow was released, there was no turning back.

Now, what he needs to do is completely block the last path of the Withering and Flourishing Sect.

Top-tier forces should be present at this event.

After considering the various top powers and combining the information he knew, he had already made the most suitable choice in his mind.

Liu Clan.