“Hey now, thirteen points wins. Hand over the spirit stones. Hand over the spirit stones!”

In the gambling house, a man in a golden Daoist robe, a gold ingot pendant hanging from his neck, danced on the gaming table as he urged the others to pay up. With long faces, the others threw spirit stones onto the table.

“Damn it, that brat’s luck is always this good.”

“Yeah, nine wins out of ten. He must step in something every time before he comes.”

“I don’t believe his luck can hold forever. Come on, next round, start the next round.”

The man ignored the chatter, stuffing the spirit stones into his sleeve. Halfway through, the Voice Transmission charm at his waist lit up. He glanced at it, and his brows drew together. He set the spirit stones down, took the charm from his belt, and opened it.

“Old Jin, start the next round. What are you dawdling for?”

“Right away, right away.” Old Jin answered vaguely. The moment he read the message, the smile froze on his face and levity turned to gloom. He hopped off the table and strode for the door.

The other gamblers grew unhappy. “Oh no you don’t. You win and think you can just walk? Not happening.”

“Yeah. It is only the third round. You in a rush to reincarnate?”

Hands reached to seize Old Jin. He snorted, and a vast surge of power swept out. The crowd staggered back several zhang, and the entire gambling hall groaned ominously. “I have real business. Do not pester me.”

With the words fell a rain of spirit stones. The gamblers stared at the spirit stones scattered across the floor, stunned into silence.

…

Bei Ming Clan. Before Dong Fang Yue could speak, Bei Ming Yan said bluntly: “You are here for the senior from the Land of Divine Remains?”

Dong Fang Yue nodded.

“And Dong Fang Yu? What did he say?”

“He told me to pretend I did not know about it. But I do not think that is right. That senior saved my life twice. A life-saving debt is heavier than a mountain.”

Bei Ming Yan’s lip curved in a sardonic smile: “That day, Dong Fang Yu represented the Dong Fang Clan in sending out the token. Now that it is time to put in real effort, he plays dead. He can count.”

Dong Fang Yue pressed her lips together, not knowing how to respond. Bei Ming Yan looked at her helplessly: “You came to me because you have decided. I will go with you.”

Dong Fang Yue’s face broke into a bright smile. She slipped her arm through Bei Ming Yan’s: “Sister Yan, I knew you would go.”

“We can go, but we do it with open eyes. We do not charge out recklessly.”

Dong Fang Yue nodded quickly: “I will follow Sister Yan in everything. Whatever you say, I do.”

Bei Ming Yan smiled: “I wonder what kind of people that senior has provoked, to ask for our help so actively.” It sounded as if she were asking Dong Fang Yue, but also as if she were talking to herself.

Dong Fang Yue, not one to think so far ahead, said: “If the senior is in trouble, we cannot sit back and watch. We can see the specifics when we get there.”

“You are right. Before we go, let us stop by the Nangong Clan and ask if Nangong Jie will join us.”

“All right.” Dong Fang Yue agreed cheerfully, and the two set off hand in hand for the Nangong Clan.

Having finally received his father’s approval yesterday to take part in the Great Thousand Alliance selection, Nangong Jie was in high spirits. Hearing why Bei Ming Yan and Dong Fang Yue had come, he agreed without a second thought: “That senior did us a kindness. Naturally we should repay it with all our strength.”

“Then make ready. We leave at once.”

“Wait. I would like to introduce a friend to you.”

By “friend” he meant Fang Cheng Lang. Nangong Jie was not the sort to kick down the bridge after crossing. What he had said to Fang Cheng Lang the other day was not mere flattery; much of it had been heartfelt. The very fact that Fang Cheng Lang had caught Nangong Yu’s eye proved he was anything but ordinary. Moreover, Nangong Jie still dreamed of passing the selection and entering the Great Thousand World, and he wanted to draw closer to Fang Cheng Lang.

He sent for Fang Cheng Lang and, while they waited, explained Fang’s background to Bei Ming Yan and Dong Fang Yue. As a result, the two greeted Fang Cheng Lang with warmth. “Brother Fang, I called you here to introduce these two friends, and also because an elder who once saved us seems to be in trouble. The three of us plan to take a look and, if possible, settle the matter. Will you come with us?”

“This…” Fang Cheng Lang wavered, tempted, but in the end declined with polite words. He was a man brought by Nangong Yu, and must be ready to follow Nangong Yu’s orders at any time. Leaving on his own would be disrespectful to the senior.

After asking, Nangong Jie himself felt he had been impetuous. Hearing Fang Cheng Lang’s refusal, he also breathed easier: “It is fine if you do not go. When we return, we will burn the candle late and talk.”

“Gladly.”

Watching the three depart, Fang Cheng Lang felt a hollow throb in his chest, a sudden, inexplicable ache, as if he had made a wrong choice. He pressed hard between his brows and pushed down the restlessness. There would be a better time to inquire after the other seniors. He could not rush it.

…

Seven Mists Realm, Four Seas City. A chill wind swept empty streets once lively and prosperous; only a few hurried figures passed, fallen leaves skittering along the ground, a desolate air everywhere. A vast spiritual barrier hung like a canopy over the city’s largest manor. In its broad rear courtyard, more than thirty cultivators had gathered, worry etched on every face.

“Still no word of Yan Yi and the others?” asked an elder with white hair and a childlike face. A burly man spat on the ground: “Word? There is no word. They were taken long ago. Who knows if they are alive or dead now.”

“Tie Gu! It was not Huang Zhong who took them. Why are you venting at him?” A pert young woman glared at him.

Tie Gu did not rein himself in; he grew angrier: “He did not take them, but this is related to him.” He fixed burning eyes on Huang Zhong: “Sui Bian caused this. Why did you tell him to hide and stay away? He should get back here and fix it. Why should we clean up his mess?”

The others glanced at each other and said nothing.

“They came here to make trouble for Sui Bian in the first place,” the young woman raised her voice. “If you call him back, you are sending him into their hands.”

“So others should die for him?” Tie Gu roared. “Qian Si, Chi Lian is your junior. Do you want her to die not knowing why?”

Qian Si’s face turned ashen.