"The rest is up to you."
After leaving these words with Gu Qinghuan, Jiang Beiran returned alone to the Heart Returning Sect. Early the next morning, Wu Qingce suddenly arrived at the back mountain. As soon as he saw Jiang Beiran, he blurted out, "Senior Brother, are you really participating in this Young Heroes Tournament!?"
"You only heard about it today?"
"Yes. The day before yesterday, as soon as I returned to the hall and informed Hall Master that I had broken through to Mysterious Master, he took me to a secret chamber and taught me new techniques and heart methods. I only just emerged today."
"So, you’re now Hall Master’s personal disciple?"
"All thanks to Senior Brother’s guidance."
Wu Qingce immediately cupped his hands in respect.
"This is the result of your own efforts. So, you came just to ask me about this?"
"Ah, I also wanted to tell you that Hall Master has nominated me as one of the participants for the Young Heroes Tournament. Also… he mentioned that I might be made the team leader this time."
"Oh? Then I should call you ‘Captain’ from now on."
"I wouldn’t dare!"
"If it’s proper, then it’s proper. I’ll call you Captain, and you’ll call me Senior Brother. We’ll address each other accordingly."
Before Wu Qingce could protest further, Jiang Beiran continued, "Making you the leader this time must have deeper implications, right?"
"Senior Brother sees everything clearly."
Wu Qingce nodded.
"Hall Master said that if I can achieve a good ranking in the Young Heroes Tournament, he’ll recommend me as the Chief Disciple upon my return."
The so-called Chief Disciple was naturally the most outstanding among the younger generation of disciples. The resources allocated to them far surpassed those given to their peers. However, the pressure was equally immense, as every other disciple would covet the position, leading to all sorts of schemes both overt and covert.
"Just a ‘good ranking’? No demand for you to take first place? Sounds like your Hall Master doesn’t have much confidence in JB District’s top disciple. Could it be that Hidden Moon Sect has someone even more formidable?"
"Exactly as Senior Brother said. Hall Master told me that Hidden Moon Sect has produced an eighteen-year-old third-rank Mysterious Master with extraordinary talent. Additionally, Ningyi’s Mysterious Sun Sect and Long Hong’s Heaven-Seeking Sect also seem to have exceptionally strong disciples."
"Eighteen and already third-rank? That is indeed impressive. This Hidden Moon Sect… not only flaunting their elders but also their youngsters—trying to dominate everything, huh."
"I…"
Hearing Jiang Beiran’s words, Wu Qingce hesitated before cupping his hands again.
"You want to defeat them?"
"Yes!"
Wu Qingce nodded firmly, his eyes burning with determination as he looked at Jiang Beiran.
"Then why are you still standing here instead of training?"
"Ah?"
Wu Qingce froze for a long moment before exclaiming, "Right! I’ll go train immediately!" Watching Wu Qingce dash down the mountain, Jiang Beiran sighed inwardly.
‘Who knows if this tournament will even happen…’ --- Under Jiang Beiran’s intense crisis preparations, over a month passed in the blink of an eye.
In two days, it would be time to depart for Hidden Moon Sect to offer birthday congratulations.
"Hahahaha! Little Beiran, you’ve stepped into my Drunken Immortal Pavilion! Pay up, pay up! This is a marquis-level inn—you owe me…"
Shi Fenglan glanced at the "deed" in her hand.
"Two taels of silver!"
"Here."
Jiang Beiran pulled out two silver notes marked [One Tael] and handed them to Shi Fenglan.
"I’m rich~ I’m rich~!"
After dancing around gleefully with the silver notes, Shi Fenglan grabbed the dice and threw them with all her might.
"Five!"
She moved her Chain Fairy piece five spaces on the board, but when it came to placing it on the final spot, her hand stubbornly refused to lower.
"Welcome to Flying Cloud Manor."
Jiang Beiran smiled and pressed Shi Fenglan’s Chain Fairy piece down for her.
"Since both Jade Bright Port and Spirit Jade Palace are also mine, the price triples. Additionally, my Flying Cloud Manor has two state guesthouses, and since it’s a chain business, the total comes to… twelve taels of silver."
"Ah!"
Shi Fenglan wailed.
"This is a scam!"
"Scam or not, pay up."
"Mmm…"
Shi Fenglan counted the silver notes in front of her for a while before pouting.
"Including what you just gave me… I only have six taels."
"Perfect. You’re bankrupt."
Sticking a slip of paper on Shi Fenglan’s forehead, Jiang Beiran stood and stretched.
"Another round! Another round! This Wealth Over the World game is so fun!"
Shi Fenglan hurriedly began resetting the board.
"That’s enough for today. I still have preparations to make before leaving for Hidden Moon Sect in two days."
Putting down the colorful "silver notes," Shi Fenglan looked up at Jiang Beiran.
"Ah? It’s already time?"
"Yes, late autumn is here."
As he spoke, Jiang Beiran stored the board back into his Universe Ring. Pouting, Shi Fenglan slumped dejectedly.
"How long will you be gone this time?"
"Not sure. Depends on Hidden Moon Sect’s arrangements. But ten days to half a month is unavoidable."
"Ah~ That long?"
Her lips pursed even further.
"Then, Little Beiran, can you leave the betting board with me? I can play with Little Duo sometimes."
The moment Shi Fenglan finished speaking, two options appeared before Jiang Beiran.
[Option 1: Leave the board with Shi Fenglan. Reward: Heavenly Binding Rope (Yellow Grade, High Tier)] [Option 2: Refuse directly. Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1] So, under Shi Fenglan’s pleading gaze, Jiang Beiran said, "No." [Option task completed. Reward: Calligraphy +1] "Why not!?
I promise it’ll just be the two of us!"
"I don’t trust you. Also, let me remind you again—if I find out you’ve roped someone else into playing, I won’t come to Water Mirror Hall anymore."
Jiang Beiran stated bluntly. Shi Fenglan’s desire to find another "gambling buddy" had never waned. Judging by the system’s options, if he left the board behind, he’d likely return to a decision already made—one he’d have no say in.
"Hmph! You don’t trust me! I’m ignoring you!"
Shi Fenglan turned her head away angrily.
"Alright, I’ll take my leave then."
Jiang Beiran turned toward the door.
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Shi Fenglan spun back and grabbed the hem of his robe.
"I’ll behave! Just come back soon."
"Whether I can return soon isn’t up to me."
"Fine… Here, take this."
Shi Fenglan pulled out a box from under the table and handed it to Jiang Beiran.
"The Immortal Feather Robe—take it. Protect yourself."
"Many thanks, Hall Master Shi."
Jiang Beiran accepted the box with a bow.
"Also… take this too."
Shi Fenglan retrieved another brocade box from beneath the table and offered it to him.
"Soul Infant Fruit?"
Jiang Beiran asked in surprise.
"Yep! I’ve had a lot of fun these past two months. This is the reward I promised you."
"Thank you."
Just as Jiang Beiran reached for it, Shi Fenglan suddenly pulled it back, her eyes pitiful.
"You won’t stop coming to play with me after taking the Soul Infant Fruit, right?"
"Hmm, I won’t." Shi Fenglan’s expression brightened slightly—until Jiang Beiran added, "But I’ll probably visit less often."
"Why must you be so honest at a time like this!?"
Shi Fenglan shoved the brocade box into Jiang Beiran’s arms.
"Hmph! I have other treasures anyway. When you get back from Hidden Moon Sect—" "Don’t say it!"
Jiang Beiran hastily covered her mouth. He was already being targeted by the will of this world, and now he was heading into a place guaranteed to be dangerous. If she went and raised a death flag now, even the sturdiest fate wouldn’t save him.
"I’m leaving. Save whatever you want to say for when I return."
With a wave, Jiang Beiran stepped out—only to freeze the moment the door closed behind him.
‘Didn’t I just raise a flag myself!?’
(End of Chapter)