Chapter 523: Chapter 242: Xue Qianbai Emerges from Seclusion

The mastermind behind this underground betting is unexpectedly the boss behind the black market.

Many have speculated about the identity of the black market boss, but over the years, no one has known who it truly is.

Upon hearing about the gambling event, even Li Changqing became interested.

The odds were ten to one against Jiang Tianyun.

Li Xuanxi’s odds were three to one.

Seeing these odds, Li Changqing didn’t expect so many people wouldn’t favor Jiang Tianyun.

However, upon closer thought, it made sense. To Li Changqing, Jiang Tianyun was indeed old, and to contend with Li Xuanxi might truly be beyond his strength.

Li Changqing also intended to place a bet.

But he didn’t know exactly how to bet.

On the surface, Li Xuanxi indeed seemed to have a greater chance of winning.

Yet, thinking from another perspective, that might not be the case. After all, Li Xuanxi had fallen in the Black and White Forbidden Area back in the day, whereas Jiang Tianyun had served as the Cangyuan Realm Master for many years. In terms of foundation, Li Xuanxi couldn’t compare. Thus, the outcome of this battle remained uncertain.

Li Changqing pondered it and felt the Cangyuan Realm Master had a slightly bigger chance of winning, so he decided to join in the betting.

He already had a poor impression of Li Xuanxi, so Li Changqing directly bet ten million taels of silver on Jiang Tianyun to win.

Even if he lost, he’d just consider it wasted money.

To Li Changqing now, ten million taels weren’t significant at all.

As the day of the duel approached.

Zhang Yuan also emerged from seclusion.

Zhang Yuan came out specially to watch the duel between two land immortals.

After all, such opportunities were extremely rare, a real rarity for a martial artist of Zhang Yuan’s level.

But Zhao Beiming remained as indifferent as ever, caring about nothing but protecting Beihan Country daily and going grocery shopping after work.

Just those two things.

He didn’t care at all about land immortals.

The day drew nearer.

That day, someone unexpected yet delightfully surprising arrived at Changqing Mansion.

It was Xue Qianbai!

"You’ve emerged from seclusion?" Seeing Xue Qianbai, Li Changqing was delighted, noting the complete change in Xue Qianbai from before.

Just standing there, Xue Qianbai exuded an invincible aura!

The Thousand Snow Sword hung on his back, and Xue Qianbai seemed to naturally create a separate realm around him.

Evidently, Xue Qianbai had already reached the Great Martial Sect’s level!

A truly pinnacle innate master!

The Thousand Snow Sword Venerable had already gained fame in the Cangyuan Realm, and now, his name had entered the ranks of the realm’s top experts.

The transformation of the Great Martial Sect’s Xue Qianbai was akin to rebirth.

"Brother Changqing, thank you." Xue Qianbai sought out Li Changqing immediately after emerging from seclusion. Without the wooden carving of ’Jiangxue’ gifted by Li Changqing, he wouldn’t have had the chance to break through to his current realm.

It might have been possible in ten years.

Or perhaps twenty years later.

No one could say for sure.

"We’re brothers; there’s no need for thanks," Li Changqing said with a smile.

"Indeed, we are brothers." Xue Qianbai nodded.

"Brother Changqing, are you also planning to visit the Mountain of Ten Thousand Tribulations?" Xue Qianbai said to Li Changqing, "If you’re interested, we can go together."

"I’m certainly going to the Mountain of Ten Thousand Tribulations; after all, the battle between the Cangyuan Realm Master and Li Xuanxi is something I must witness firsthand."

Li Changqing didn’t mention that he had placed a ten million tael bet; he had to be present to see the outcome.

"Fate is unpredictable." Xue Qianbai sighed lightly, "Who would have thought that the Celestial Maiden Sword Immortal Li Xuanxi was actually a disciple from Wanzai Peak at Dao Mountain Ancient Land?"

"And who could have guessed that the Medical King Valley was connected to the Longevity Sect?" Li Changqing said helplessly.

"Oh?" Xue Qianbai was startled and quickly asked what had happened.

Li Changqing did not hide anything and recounted the events from beginning to end.

Xue Qianbai was also shocked upon hearing and quickly inquired, "Has there been any activity from the Medical King Valley recently?"

"No."

Li Changqing said, "The Medical King Valley remains the same. Although it’s unclear how, the people of the valley have come back to life, becoming quite mysterious. Even if this matter were told, probably no one would believe it."

"That’s true." Xue Qianbai pondered for a moment, "But we must remain cautious of them. The Longevity Sect has never truly died. Even after suffering a blow in the Ghostly Realm, they are still active. Additionally, the immense cage you saw in the Medicineless Ancient Cave is concerning. They might be planning something again."

"Their sole purpose is to resurrect their celestial being." Li Changqing snorted coldly, "I’m not sure what their celestial being is, but if it ever descends upon the Cangyuan Realm, it wouldn’t be a good thing; it could be a massive calamity."

"Unfortunately, we have too little intelligence on the Longevity Sect."

"By the way, I heard you defeated Su Zheng of the Su family before?" Xue Qianbai suddenly recalled the Su family incident.

"He’s already been sent back." Li Changqing said, "In exchange for three drops of Dragon Blood Essence."

"Three drops of Dragon Blood Essence for an elder of the Su family, a Great Martial Sect master, really is a bargain for them." Xue Qianbai snorted coldly.

"But it doesn’t matter; even if Su Shizhong himself came, he couldn’t do anything to me now." Xue Qianbai said confidently.

Li Changqing knew Xue Qianbai wasn’t exaggerating; even among the Great Martial Sect, Xue Qianbai had comprehended the existence of ’domains’ while still in the Grandmaster stage, rivaling typical Great Martial Sect members. Now stepping into the Great Martial Sect realm, with ’Jiangxue’ in hand, Xue Qianbai was among the top experts in the Great Martial Sect.

There’s no need to fear the Su family.

"By the way, now that you’re at the Great Martial Sect level, should you not tell the Princess of Qinyang about your identity after returning from the Mountain of Ten Thousand Tribulations?" Li Changqing teased.

Hearing this, Xue Qianbai was initially stunned, then pondered for a while before nodding.

Some things needed to be said eventually.

Upon returning from the Mountain of Ten Thousand Tribulations, he would visit the Qinyang Dynasty to see the woman he loved and tell her he loves her.

The title of the Thousand Snow Sword Venerable is more than enough for a princess of the Qinyang Dynasty.

Li Changqing chuckled at the thought of Xue Qianbai, a venerable sword master, being so bashful in matters of love.

It was quite amusing in hindsight.

In the Nameless Valley.

In recent days, Mu Qingge had been attending to Li Xuanxi, who, apart from eating and sleeping, devoted all his time to cultivation.

Yet Mu Qingge hadn’t seen Li Xuanxi practicing any sword techniques; he seemed to be constantly meditating.

Perhaps the cultivation methods of land immortals differ from ordinary people.

Mu Qingge paid it no further mind.

But Mu Qingge had keenly noticed that Li Xuanxi’s complexion seemed off these past few days.

"I feel your complexion isn’t right. Are you feeling unwell? I come from the Medical King Valley; let me check your pulse."

Mu Qingge approached, intending to touch Li Xuanxi’s wrist.

But Li Xuanxi’s expression changed slightly, and he withdrew his hand immediately.

"I’m fine; just attend to your tasks. My health is good." After speaking, Li Xuanxi stood up and walked back to the lake’s edge.

Resuming his cross-legged meditation.

Mu Qingge increasingly felt something was amiss with Li Xuanxi.

"Could it be some side effect of the Three Lives Flower?" Mu Qingge wasn’t well-versed in the Three Lives Flower, but Li Xuanxi wouldn’t let her examine him, leaving her with no recourse.

Intuitively, Mu Qingge believed that something was wrong with Li Xuanxi’s health.

Unbeknownst to her, Li Xuanxi, with his back to Mu Qingge, looked deeply troubled: "Senior Brother Li, is this your way of retaliating against me, or is it the karma from when I acted to kill you?"