Immortal of the Nine Realms

”These two fellows are planning to back out!”

Cheng Qing and the others were furious, immediately moving to Cheng Yuhan’s side.

They glared coldly at Lin Hai and his companion.

Fang Chen decided to ignore the commotion and continued focusing on his fishing, thinking that if they could handle the situation, it wasn’t his concern. He intended to use the next batch of Black Dragon Fish to earn some money.

Cheng Yuhan said casually, ”Brothers, we’re all at the Golden Core Realm, and none of us are ordinary disciples. It’s pointless to act like this. What do you mean by coming back later to finish the bet? Is this how you handle your bets? Last time I lost 20 mid-grade spirit stones to you, but I didn’t make excuses like this.

”Hand over the spirit stones and you can leave. Otherwise, I don’t care about whatever urgent matters you have. Even if your partner bought you a green hat, I won’t let you leave.”

”Yes, hand over the spirit stones. Otherwise, we won’t be polite,” Wang Hu sneered.

”A man of honor stooping to quibble over 40 mid-grade spirit stones? What a joke,” Cheng Qing mocked.

Cheng Shuang, though silent, showed no concealment of his disdain and contempt in his eyes.

”You think I’m afraid of you just because you have numbers?” Lin Hai suddenly sneered. ”As a cultivator of the Great Expansion Dao Gate, why would I back out on a mere forty mid-grade spirit stones? It’s just that the terms of our bet weren’t detailed. Is it unreasonable to defer my remaining time to a later date? It’s perfectly reasonable.”

”The Great Expansion Dao Gate?”

”No wonder he’s so arrogant and daring to default.”

”In the past, it was the Immortal Dynasty Manor; now it’s the Immortal Court. Despite the Great Expansion Dao Gate being severely damaged by the Void Immortal Sword Sect, they still have an Immortal King. Times have changed.”

Cheng Yuhan and the others were surprised. ”Great Expansion Dao Gate?”

Their faces quickly turned awkward.

The crowd assumed they had backed down and looked on with understanding.

When Nan Gong heard which sect Lin Hai was a disciple of, he couldn’t help but change his stance.

He sighed. Along with a few of his colleagues, he intervened again. ”So, this guy is from the Great Expansion Dao Gate... Forget it, it’s better not to escalate the conflict.”

Nan Gong cupped his hands in a gesture of courtesy. ”Fellow Cultivator Lin, Daoist Cheng, let’s each give a little ground. How about you give Daoist Cheng 20 mid-grade spirit stones and we call it even?”

Cheng Yuhan and Lin Hai spoke in unison. ”Why should we?”

Seeing Lin Hai unwilling to part with even 20 mid-grade spirit stones, Cheng Yuhan sneered repeatedly. He had initially planned to challenge Lin Hai to a battle if he lost, but now it seemed Lin Hai was even more shameless.

”Nan Gong, you heard it earlier. We said the bet needs to be finished in a day. I only said we’d compete for a day’s time, but I have urgent matters now. We have half a day of competing time remaining. We will continue at a later date. What do you say?” said Lin Hai. ”You’re a cultivator of Black Dragon Manor. Since this is your territory, you should be fair.”

”Well... The terms weren’t detailed,” Nan Gong said after a moment of thought.

Oral agreements rely on the trust between parties. If someone defaults, there’s not much that can be done. The simplest solution would be a fight, but given that Lin Hai is a Great Expansion Dao Gate cultivator, it’s not ideal to escalate the situation.

”Fine, let me make a fair statement.”

A group of people walked over, with the leader exuding a powerful aura of a perfected Golden Core, his presence commanding respect.

”Seven Profound Sect’s Meng Tianshu?!”

”This person is an Immortal Seedling; I wonder which side he stands on....”

The cultivators who were originally just watching now focused their attention with increased excitement upon seeing Meng Tianshu.

”Fellow Cultivator Meng, you’re just in time. Please help mediate and stop this from turning into a fight,” Nan Gong said with a hint of relief.

Immortal Seedlings held a high status among Golden Core Realm cultivators, and their words carry more weight than ordinary experts. Everyone would give them some respect.

Despite Meng Tianshu’s affiliation with Seven Profound Sect, his mere nod could allow him entry into any Immortal Court he wished. That was the confidence of Immortal Seedlings.

Lin Hai, upon seeing Meng Tianshu, felt a bit more cautious. If someone like him were to join the Great Expansion Dao Gate, his status would instantly rise several levels. Only Immortal Seedlings could suppress other Immortal Seedlings.

Lin Hai cupped his hands in respect. ”Fellow Cultivator Meng, Nan Gong is right. Please provide a fair judgment. Does the Great Expansion Dao Gate seem unreliable and deceitful in their eyes?”

”It’s him...”

Cheng Yuhan looked at Meng Tianshu with recognition. He was the first person to be defeated by Fang Chen at the Immortal Dynasty Manor.

”I have heard about the bet between the two of you. I see that the other party has easily caught over 30 black dragon fish. Clearly, they have won the bet. Just pay according to the agreement,” Meng Tianshu said calmly, looking at Lin Hai.

Everyone was taken aback. Meng Tianshu did not side with the Great Expansion Dao Gate?

Even the seven or eight Golden Core Realm cultivators beside him were momentarily stunned, their expressions showing a hint of surprise.

Lin Hai’s expression darkened. ”Fellow Cultivator Meng, is this what you call a fair judgment?”

Meng Tianshu nodded lightly, speaking earnestly, ”It couldn’t be fairer. Since you are from the Great Expansion Dao Gate, don’t bring disgrace to your sect. Just pay up according to the bet; there’s no need for further discussion.”

Lin Hai was taken aback by Meng Tianshu’s unexpected involvement. ”You...”

He even suspected that Meng Tianshu might be acquainted with Cheng Yuhan.

”If you don’t pay up, I might have to stretch my legs and have a bit of fun,” Meng Tianshu said with a smile.

The crowd exchanged glances, suddenly feeling a bit of anticipation.

Immortal Seedlings had extraordinary methods. Observing them up close was a rare opportunity for any Golden Core Realm cultivator.

Lin Hai’s face turned ashen. With only about 40 middle-grade spirit stones between them, paying the full amount would mean he couldn’t afford the entrance fee to Black Dragon Lake for a long time.

Suddenly, a young man approached with a group of people. He was leisurely holding a fan in his hand and fluttering it. ”Meng Tianshu, you’re just a minor disciple of the Seven Profound Sect. How dare you interfere in such matters? Do you even have the audacity to meddle in the affairs of the Great Expansion Dao Gate? Your courage is truly remarkable!”

”He Zhongshu from the Moon Worshiping Dao Sect?”

Someone recognized the young man and their eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Lin Hai’s face lit up with joy upon seeing He Zhongshu. ”Brother He!”

Although the Moon Worshiping Dao Sect was not as prestigious as the Great Expansion Dao Gate, He Zhongshu was also an Immortal Seedling. With him around, Meng Tianshu wouldn’t be able to do whatever he pleased.

Lin Hai was relieved and said, ”Brother He, I see you’ve come to help. Don’t worry, with you here, I won’t have to give up any spirit stones.”

He Zhongshu smiled slightly. ”We are both from Dao Sects, and we’ve always supported each other. I won’t allow anyone to insult you.”

Lin Hai nodded with a smile.

The Moon Worshiping Dao Sect had subtly become an appendage to the Great Expansion Dao Gate, and He Zhongshu’s show of support was intentional.

Meng Tianshu looked at He Zhongshu with a thoughtful expression. ”He Zhongshu....”

He Zhongshu sighed while looking at him with a half-smile. ”Meng Tianshu, what’s wrong? Aren’t we old friends? When did you start taking such an interest in trifles like this?”

”It’s not that I enjoy meddling in others’ affairs,” Meng Tianshu replied with a light sigh, looking at He Zhongshu with a hint of sympathy. ”I’m just afraid that you might suffer here. I’d advise you not to get involved, or else... you might end up leaving in a sorry state.”