novelraw Chapter 2219 - 2218: At the Foot of Qingcheng Mountains
Chapter 2219 - 2218: At the Foot of Qingcheng Mountains
Long Fei and Wang Xiaoya found it interesting, as they were here to gather news about Chu Feng and his companions anyway.
In the afternoon, they planned to check out the competition between the two sects, hoping they might encounter Chu Feng and his group.
These folks loved excitement and might just show up here.
The two ordered a table full of food and drink and feasted to their hearts’ content.
The Shu Region truly is a place of outstanding people and abundant resources.
The dishes here were delicious, mainly spicy and numbing.
No matter the dish, they were all heavily seasoned with Sichuan pepper and chili.
The taste finally bore some resemblance to their hometown.
The Qingcheng Mountains sat by a large lake, similar to the geography of Long Fei’s home.
However, Long Fei’s hometown featured an artificially constructed lake.
Here, the lake was naturally formed, stretching for thousands of miles, covered in mist and seemingly endless.
People in the Shu Region called this lake the Azure Dragon Lake, and legend had it that an azure dragon once lived there.
The mountain beside it was initially named Azure Dragon Mountain, later changed to Qingcheng Mountain.
Long Fei and Wang Xiaoya wandered over leisurely, finding a small boat on the lake to paddle around.
By this time, the lake was already teeming with cultivators, and a massive pavilion stood on the lake, with a wooden walkway connecting it to the Qingcheng Mountains.
It was said that the duel would take place on this lake later.
Therefore, all kinds of cultivators had claimed their spots early on.
The lake was mystical, the green mountains embracing it.
Being in it felt exceedingly refreshing.
Especially the Little Azure Dragon inside Long Fei’s storage ring, it was bouncing around wanting to come out.
After hearing the rumors, Long Fei wondered if there might be a fateful opportunity for the Little Azure Dragon here.
He secretly released the little creature into the lake water, letting it roam freely.
With him around, he wasn’t afraid of anyone taking the Little Qing away.
Wang Xiaoya gazed at the scenery and, somewhat entranced, held Long Fei’s hand, saying, "If our people could all come here, it would be fantastic. Cultivating here is a hundred times better than on Jade Island. Yingying and the others would surely love it."
Long Fei chuckled, "Others might forget about Shu, but you seem unwilling to leave Shu!"
Wang Xiaoya giggled, "And you’re no different!"
Gazing at the splendid mountains and rivers, Long Fei indeed felt a tinge of longing to settle down.
But with the Demon Calamity looming in the Great Xia Country, how could he feel at ease staying here?
If he were to stay, it would have to wait until after the calamity.
Wang Xiaoya pointed to Qingcheng Mountain, "This place is great, with green mountains and clear waters, a land of abundance. Why don’t we claim it today and settle here in the future?"
Long Fei hurriedly covered her mouth, thinking to himself how rogue-like she had become.
Indeed, close association influences you; hanging out with Chu Feng and the gang was about to turn her into a bandit lady.
Wang Xiaoya glared at him with her big eyes.
He released her, chastising, "This place is the heritage of the Sect of Severance, full of fortune. If you claim it, won’t you be courting trouble with the Sect of Severance? At that time, should the Saints in heaven be aware, they’ll surely make you suffer."
Wang Xiaoya, seeing his worried expression, asked curiously, "Isn’t it said that the Immortal Path is broken, and there are no more Immortals and Saints?"
Long Fei looked at the sky, "The Three Realms Universe is in the hands of Saints. Though the Human Realm and the Immortal Realm are temporarily disconnected, it doesn’t mean the Saints cannot influence this place. We must act carefully and go with the flow of destiny."
Wang Xiaoya shook her head, "No good, no good. The protagonists in novels always say ’my fate is up to me, not the heavens,’ but you keep talking about going with destiny, which isn’t satisfying at all."
Long Fei laughed heartily, "Protagonists have plot armor, but I don’t!"
As the two joked, they had already arrived at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain.
At noon, a sword light emerged in the void, resembling a long rainbow approaching.
The onlooking cultivators were excited, shouting towards the sky, "Look quickly, the Disciples of Mount Shu have arrived."
"Flying on their swords, Mount Shu Sword Immortals, their reputation isn’t undeserved!"
"Mount Shu is sure to win this battle!"
"I heard the Shu King is hosting the bets; you can place your wagers on his boat. Mount Shu offers one-to-one odds, Qingcheng offers one-to-ten."
"Really? Betting on Qingcheng would be a windfall!"
"You dare to bet on it? Qingcheng Sect has been talent-less for years, nowhere near its former glory. This duel, Qingcheng will surely lose!"
"Then I’ll bet on Mount Shu!"
"Let’s go, let’s place our bets together!"
"..."
A group of people moved towards the largest dragon boat on the lake.
Long Fei and Wang Xiaoya listened for a while; this boat belonged to the Shu King, Li Yuu.
It was a hundred feet long and over ten feet wide.
Three stories high, adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings, embedded with jewels, with graceful dancing girls and rousing music, it was very splendid and lively.
Many people had gone inside to place bets, intending to earn some quick money.
Wang Xiaoya, intrigued, pulled Long Fei along to place a bet.
Inside the ship’s cabin sat a young man, dressed in yellow robes and a jade belt, calmly drinking tea at the main seat.
He had an elegant demeanor, youthful pride, likely the owner of this treasure ship, the Shu King.
A servant beside him greeted the cultivators, taking bets; some were betting ten thousand spirit stones, others a hundred thousand, and yet others betting a million.
Most bets were on Mount Shu, with few choosing Qingcheng Sect.
Someone laughed, saying to the young man, "Your Highness, if Mount Shu wins, this venture will be a losing business!"
The young man laughed, "It’s just for fun, it doesn’t count for much. Even if you all bet everything on Mount Shu, I can still afford to pay the losses."
A group of cultivators laughed, "Shu King is magnanimous!"
"As expected of someone from Chang’an Academy, your demeanor surpasses our Shu State cultivators."
"..."
Someone asked, "Whom does Your Highness think will win?"
The Shu King replied, "I bet on the Qingcheng Sect!"
"Hmm?"
The group of cultivators turned their eyes.
The Shu King laughed, "I simply admire a junior sister from Qingcheng, so I must support them unconditionally. Don’t trust my words, in this battle, Mount Shu clearly has the more significant chance of winning."
"I see!"
Everyone was relieved, thinking the Shu King had some insider information.
At this time, Wang Xiaoya approached, softly saying to the bookkeeper servant, "I bet ten million spirit stones."
"Ten million?"
The servant was clearly startled and asked Wang Xiaoya, "Which side do you want to bet on?"
Wang Xiaoya replied casually, "Qingcheng Sect!"
"Ah?"
Her words made all the guests in the cabin cry out in surprise.
The Shu King also glanced at her, momentarily taken aback by Wang Xiaoya’s celestial beauty.
He stood up, looking at Wang Xiaoya and asked, "Why do you support Qingcheng Sect? You should know, in this duel, Qingcheng Sect has a very slim chance."
Wang Xiaoya said, "I have a connection with this sect, so I must support them."
The Shu King laughed, "Great minds think alike. I like it!"
He instructed the servant, "Issue a ticket for this lady!"
The servant nodded, quickly writing a note, and after Wang Xiaoya paid, stamped it with the Shu Royal Mansion’s large seal and handed it to her.
Wang Xiaoya and Long Fei were about to leave when they were stopped by Mount Shu disciples.
They invited the two to the top deck, which was open-air, furnished with exquisite rosewood tables and chairs.
The floor was laid with thick carpet, decorated lavishly.
Maids came to invite them to sit, immediately serving them tea.
The Shu King clasped his fists, curious about the two, "I am well acquainted with folks around Shu State, having met most notable ones. You two seem unfamiliar, so you must be from out of town, right?"