Volume 7, Chapter 405 – Let Me Show You What Confidence Really Looks Like

The Honghua Sect had been thoroughly fooled, and the incident had become common knowledge. As a result, after the lottery draw this time, things were much simpler, no one came forward to force a swap.

The reason was simple. While the Haizhi Sect couldn’t be considered a top-tier immortal sect, they at least had a powerful external ally at the third level of the Incarnation Realm, not to mention their own disciples, who were all elites at the Unity Realm. In short, they were far from being an easy target.

Because of this, many believed history would repeat itself. Cheng Hongling would once again be eliminated by the Haizhi Sect, especially since her cultivation was only at the second level of the Incarnation Realm.

Of course, some still believed Cheng Hongling could win. Three years ago, though she had lost, her stunning performance had left a deep impression on many.

The debate was so intense that discussions about the match could be heard all over the prefecture. Many gambling dens even opened special betting lines for it.

After a few days, it became clear that far more people supported the Haizhi Sect. For one, they had been the victors last time. Secondly, for cultivators at this level, challenging someone a tier above was an extremely difficult feat.

As a result, the odds for Cheng Hongling skyrocketed! However, despite the hype, most people were just watching for fun. After all, everyone knew that the lots could still be swapped. If they bet now and the two sides didn’t end up facing each other, wouldn’t they just be wasting their money on fees?

Qi Huang also wanted to make a fortune, but she was afraid the Haizhi Sect might swap their lot, so she suppressed her impulse for now.

Two days passed, and the second round of the competition finally began.

When the Honghua Sect arrived at the Immortal Alliance’s branch, someone immediately came to confirm whether they had swapped their lot.

Not long after, a particularly shrewd individual set up tables and chairs right then and there, opening a betting station. In no time, the Immortal Alliance branch was buzzing with excitement.

As time passed, the betting trends stabilized. Just like the general sentiment outside, the majority still favored the Haizhi Sect, so the odds for the Honghua Sect kept climbing, eventually reaching one to three.

“People are practically handing us money! Want to get rich? Hurry up and place your bets!”

Wang Zong excitedly urged everyone.

“Don’t rush, Senior Brother Wang! One must remain composed. The higher our odds get, the more we stand to win if we wait until the last moment, right?”

Qi Huang calmly reminded him.

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“Right, right! Junior Sister, you’re so clever!”

Wang Zong smacked his own thick skull in frustration.

“Everyone, prepare all your silver. If you don’t have any, sell your belongings. When the time comes, bet everything you can. Since someone’s opened this betting line, I’ll make sure you all return to the sect carrying mountains of gold and silver!”

Qi Huang confidently issued her orders.

Naturally, none of her fellow disciples doubted her, so they all complied. Even Qin Quan, that old geezer, was no exception. After all, who would say no to money?

Cheng Hongling, however, was the exception. She coldly distanced herself, unwilling to associate with these gamblers.

“Aren’t you betting?”

Qi Huang trotted over to ask.

“This fairy does not engage in gambling!”

Cheng Hongling shot her a disdainful look.

“Fine!”

Qi Huang didn’t want to force her. It wasn’t like she was short on money, she could afford to indulge her main body’s pride.

Since everyone was curious, they went early to observe the betting station. Unexpectedly, the Haizhi Sect was also present.

Qi Huang casually glanced over and recognized three familiar faces. Disciples from the Haizhi Sect who had ganged up on Cheng Hongling three years ago.

“Fellow Daoists of the Haizhi Sect, we’ve all bet on your victory. Don’t let us down!”

“This is the money I saved up for spirit herbs to break through. If you lose, I’ll have to storm your sect instead!”

“I even wagered my parents’ retirement funds. If you lose, they’ll have nothing to live on!”

“Retirement funds? I bet my betrothal gifts! If you lose, my family line ends with me!”

The cultivators who had bet on the Haizhi Sect tried to gauge their confidence.

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“Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist! If we lose, just send your parents to the Haizhi Sect. I’ll take care of them!”

“As for the one worried about his lineage, if we lose, send your fiancée over. I’ll marry her for you, and once she bears a child, you can take her back. No risk of extinction!”

“Exactly. The Honghua Sect is nothing. That Cheng Hongling? We eliminated her three years ago, and we’ll do it again now.”

The Haizhi Sect disciples confidently reassured their supporters.

“The Haizhi Sect seems pretty confident,” Ruan Lingyu murmured.

“Of course they are. With so many people backing them, who wouldn’t be?”

Qi Huang couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Oh? If it isn’t our friends from the Honghua Sect?”

A voice suddenly rang out.

The Honghua Sect members turned to see the Haizhi Sect approaching, led by a tall, gaunt elder.

“Sect Leader Kang, greetings!”

Qin Quan quickly clasped his hands in courtesy.

“No need for formalities, Sect Leader Qin.”

Sect Leader Kang of the Haizhi Sect gave a perfunctory reply before asking, “Could it be that the Honghua Sect is also interested in this little betting game?”

“Ah… just a bit of leisure fun,” Qin Quan said modestly.

“In that case, who do you plan to bet on?”

Sect Leader Kang inquired curiously.

“We haven’t decided yet!”

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Qin Quan hesitated slightly. After all, the odds could still rise if they waited.

“Why hesitate? Bet on us! That way, even if you lose, you’ll at least get some consolation money. Better than going insane.”

“Exactly! I heard that Qi Huang has mental problems. If you bet on yourselves, losing both the match and your money might just push you all over the edge. Then the Honghua Sect would turn into a madhouse!”

“Don’t tell me you’re still clinging to some delusion? It’s useless. Three years ago, we eliminated you, and three years later, we’ll do it again.”

The Haizhi Sect disciples jeered.

“Thanks for the advice, Senior Brothers! But it’s no use, I’m mentally ill. I don’t listen to reason!”

Qi Huang wasn’t angered. Instead, she strode up to the betting table, pulled out a stack of silver notes, and declared, “I’m betting on the Honghua Sect!”

The bookkeeper counted the notes and gasped, it was a full 100,000 taels of silver.

The surrounding cultivators were stunned. They never imagined a Honghua Sect disciple could casually produce such a sum.

The rest of the Honghua Sect disciples also placed their bets on their own victory. Some of the male disciples, feeling their stakes weren’t high enough, even sold their swords on the spot.

As for the female disciples, their swords were forged from rare Blue Scale Stones, gifts from Qi Huang herself, they couldn’t bear to part with them.

“Anyone who wants to raise their bets, I’ll lend you the money. Just pay me back after we win.”

Qi Huang pulled out another stack of silver notes. She had considered betting everything herself but decided against being too selfish. Since they were all fellow disciples, they should share in the fortune.

Without hesitation, the Honghua Sect members borrowed the silver and placed their bets, showing absolute trust in Qi Huang.

Watching this, the Haizhi Sect disciples exchanged smug, triumphant smiles.

“The Honghua Sect is really confident, betting everything on themselves!”

“Confident? More like overconfident! The Honghua Sect only has Cheng Hongling, the rest are just filler. How can they compete with the Haizhi Sect?”

“Do they not know the Haizhi Sect has a powerful external ally?”

“Shh, keep it down! These idiots are handing us money. Do you want to scare them off?”

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“What’s there to fear? Bets are final, it’s not like they can take their silver back!”

“Exactly. Even if the bookie allowed it, we wouldn’t!”

Whispers spread among the onlookers.

But Qi Huang wasn’t done yet. Her eyes gleamed mischievously as she asked the bookie, “What about the Haizhi Sect? Have they bet on themselves yet?”

“Not yet!”

The bookie answered honestly.

“Oh? Could it be… they’re scared?”

Qi Huang taunted, directing her words at the Haizhi Sect.

“Scared? Don’t be ridiculous! We’re just waiting until the last moment, who knows if you’ll swap your draw?”

A Haizhi Sect disciple retorted.

“Then why not bet now? Unless all that big talk earlier was just to trick everyone else into betting while you yourselves lack confidence? How shameless!”

Qi Huang fired back, using reverse psychology.

Hearing this, the surrounding cultivators turned questioning gazes toward the Haizhi Sect.

“Hah! Who says we lack confidence? We’ll show you what real confidence looks like!”

The Haizhi Sect disciples took the bait. One after another, they stepped forward to place their bets, staking everything they had.

Not long after, an Immortal Alliance disciple announced the start of the first match.

“Come on, let’s go collect our money.”

With a wave of her hand, Qi Huang led the Honghua Sect toward the arena.