Chapter 761: One vs. One Sect

Inside the spacious and ancient great hall.

The great gate that had been opened by everyone working together had, at some unknown point, already closed again.

Suddenly.

In the vast great hall, ripples of space emerged.

Figure after figure flashed into view.

In the blink of an eye, nearly three hundred figures appeared within the great hall.

After everyone appeared, they looked around immediately; upon seeing the leaders of their respective factions, they gathered toward them, and in the blink of an eye, they formed four distinct groups.

Looking out.

The teams from the Sacred Palace and Tianlang Hall were relatively intact; compared to when they first entered the Secret Realm, they had only lost a dozen or so people, which was not a significant loss and was entirely within the normal range.

The Jade Cauldron Sect, however, had lost over thirty people, a very obvious reduction in numbers.

Seeing this, Xuan Che looked at Yuan Xiuya, his expression somewhat gloomy.

Most of the Jade Cauldron Sect's losses occurred during life-and-death struggles with the Cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect.

Compared to Xuan Che, Yuan Xiuya's expression was even uglier.

Compared to the other Three Great Factions, the Beast Taming Sect Disciples had the highest number of casualties, with their numbers reduced by a full half; it could be called a heavy loss.

Among these.

The vast majority had died on the eighth floor of the Pill Tower.

Fortunately, Wang Daniu had repelled the Cultivators of the Three Great Factions; otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable, and even he himself might have perished in the Pill Tower.

Thinking of Wang Daniu.

He could not help but shake his head and sigh.

Wang Daniu had never once dealt a killing blow to the Beast Taming Sect Cultivators while in the Secret Realm, and he was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness.

It is just a pity...

That he died in the end due to carelessness.

Outside the Secret Realm.

The surrounding mountain ranges, which were originally lush and stretched for a thousand miles, had at some unknown point been razed to the ground.

The world was a scene of devastation, with only that broken peak, over ten thousand feet high, remaining untouched.

At the top of the broken peak.

The Beast Taming Sect's leading Elder, Wen Yuan, had his eyelids lowered, waiting silently; not far away, the Jade Cauldron Sect's leading Elder, Jingyun, looked at Wen Yuan from time to time with a gloomy expression.

On the other side.

The leading Elders of the Sacred Palace and Tianlang Hall still maintained an attitude of watching a show.

Just after the Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm opened.

The conflict between Wen Yuan and Jingyun had ultimately erupted.

The two launched a great battle that razed the mountains around the broken peak to the ground, eventually ending with Wen Yuan having the slight upper hand.

Although Jingyun, having suffered a small loss, was somewhat unconvinced, he ultimately did not continue to provoke Wen Yuan, though the atmosphere between the two remained very tense.

Seeing that the day for the Secret Realm to end had arrived, the Tianlang Hall's leading Elder smiled and took the initiative to bring up the topic, "The Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm is about to end; I wonder how the harvest of these juniors has been."

"To gain anything in the Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm, destiny is extremely important. Usually, all geniuses possess significant destiny, which is why we Four Great Powers send our strongest batch of Disciples inside every time. I imagine the harvest this time should be about the same as before," the Sacred Palace's leading Elder replied.

Hearing the Sacred Palace Elder mention the word "destiny."

Wen Yuan nodded silently without speaking.

Jingyun's expression, which had been very gloomy from suffering a loss at Wen Yuan's hands, suddenly relaxed; his gaze swept over the three, and he felt a surge of mockery in his heart.

The harvest is about the same?

That is because you have no experience!

At the thought that the leader of the Jade Cauldron Sect's team this time was Xuan Che, he could not help but want to laugh triumphantly.

He was one of the first high-level members within the Jade Cauldron Sect to notice Xuan Che, and he had a close relationship with Xuan Che and understood him very well.

He knew very clearly just how exaggerated Xuan Che's destiny was.

In ordinary Secret Realms, Xuan Che could maintain a sweeping posture and seize countless opportunities.

In this Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm, where destiny is paramount, destiny like Xuan Che's is simply a slaughter!

He glanced at Wen Yuan without leaving a trace and sneered in his heart.

Wen Yuan, the previous personal victory or defeat counts for nothing.

On this trip, the harvest of the Disciples under each faction is the top priority and the main goal.

So what if you have the upper hand over me?

When the Secret Realm opens and you see that the harvest of my sect's Xuan Che alone equals the sum of all your Beast Taming Sect Disciples, let's see how you can still be arrogant!

Thinking of this, he could not help but feel a sense of anticipation.

While the four were waiting.

Not long after, a ripple of space suddenly came from the air.

Immediately following, four distinct groups, totaling nearly three hundred people, flashed out from mid-air.

After these figures appeared, Jingyun looked over immediately; when he discovered that the Jade Cauldron Sect's team had actually lost a full thirty-plus people, he could not help but frown.

Those who entered the Secret Realm were all the top-tier prodigies of the sect; for every one that fell, it was no small loss for the sect.

Thirty-plus people!

This loss could already be considered quite heavy, exceeding the sect's capacity to bear.

How did Xuan Che lead the team?

However, upon discovering that the Beast Taming Sect's team had suffered even greater losses, his expression recovered, replaced by a sense of satisfaction, and his gaze toward Xuan Che also brimmed with approval.

Haha, the Beast Taming Sect has actually lost over fifty heaven-gifted talents.

Not bad, not bad.

It seems Xuan Che must have just clashed with the Beast Taming Sect disciples while leading the Jade Cauldron Sect disciples.

Calculating it this way, the Jade Cauldron Sect's losses are actually acceptable.

On the other side.

Wen Yuan's expression was heavy.

A team of over a hundred people, and more than half had fallen!

This loss was too great!

He looked toward Yuan Xiuya, about to call him over to properly question him.

A mocking voice suddenly entered his ears.

"Daoist Friend Wen, your Beast Taming Sect has suffered quite a loss this time."

Wen Yuan frowned and looked at Jingyun, "Your Jade Cauldron Sect doesn't seem to be doing much better, does it?"

Jingyun shook his head with a chuckle, "Losing thirty-some people versus losing fifty-some people, the gap is not small; it is not the same."

"Moreover, although my Jade Cauldron Sect's losses are not small, our gains are great, enough to make up for the losses."

"As for you, Daoist Friend, after returning to the Beast Taming Sect, some accountability is likely unavoidable."

Hearing Jingyun's voice, which was full of schadenfreude, Wen Yuan's brow furrowed even tighter, "You haven't checked your disciples' gains yet, so how do you know your Jade Cauldron Sect's gains are enough to make up for the losses? And how do you know my Beast Taming Sect's gains cannot make up for ours?"

"Jing has confidence in his own juniors, and my Jade Cauldron Sect disciples have that kind of strength."

Jingyun chuckled lightly, then continued, "Believe it or not, the gains of just one person from my Jade Cauldron Sect could equal the sum of all your Beast Taming Sect disciples combined?"

Hearing Jingyun's arrogant words, Wen Yuan sneered.

"You don't believe it?"

One person equaling dozens?

What a joke.

If someone could truly do that, how heaven-defying would their luck have to be?

Hearing this, a flash of mockery appeared in Jingyun's eyes, "Since that is the case, why not have a wager with me, Daoist Friend Wen?"

Hearing Jingyun's words, before Wen Yuan could respond, the expression of Xuan Che in mid-air had already changed.

He didn't need to guess to know that Elder Jing wanted to use his gains to compare with the Beast Taming Sect disciples.

If he hadn't encountered that bastard Wang Daniu, he believed his gains would have absolutely exceeded the sum of everyone in the Beast Taming Sect and then some.

But now.

The gains on his person had been almost entirely plundered, leaving only three Techniques obtained during that less-than-one-month period in the Dharma Hall after Wang Daniu and the demoness were ambushed.

The people of the Beast Taming Sect had not participated in the final battle and had not suffered losses because of Wang Daniu, ultimately winning by doing nothing and becoming the final victors.

Let alone himself, even if the gains of all the disciples from the other Three Great Factions were added together, they could not compare to the Beast Taming Sect.

"Elder, please think twice; this junior's gains are poor, and I fear I cannot compare to the Beast Taming Sect group."

He hurriedly sent a voice transmission to remind Jingyun.

Hearing Xuan Che's voice transmission, Jingyun smiled amusedly.

He was still this humble.

This child Xuan Che came from humble beginnings, and after entering the Jade Cauldron Sect, he had always been cautious and careful; even after becoming the Jade Cauldron Sect's number one core disciple, he had not lost such excellent qualities.

Not bad, truly a good child.

He had indeed not misjudged the person.

He understood Xuan Che's worries, which were nothing more than fearing that if he couldn't help him defeat Wen Yuan, he would cause him to suffer losses.

However, in his view, Xuan Che's worries were purely overthinking.

"I have it under control."

He sent a voice transmission to Xuan Che with a smile, then looked at Wen Yuan, "How about it, Daoist Friend Wen, do you dare to bet?"

"If you admit that your Beast Taming Sect disciples are all trash and that even combined they cannot compare to one person from my Jade Cauldron Sect, you can refuse immediately, and Jing will not say another word."

Jingyun's provocation was undisguised.

But even with such an overt scheme, Wen Yuan was destined to be unable to refuse.

Because this involved the reputation of the sect.

He subconsciously looked at Yuan Xiuya.

"Elder, since the senior wants to bet, you should just agree."

Yuan Xiuya chuckled lightly.

As Yuan Xiuya's words fell, the group of Beast Taming Sect disciples revealed looks of schadenfreude one after another.

Noticing everyone's expressions, Wen Yuan's heart stirred, and he nodded, "Since Daoist Friend Jing wants to bet, then let's have a bet. However, if the stakes are too small, Daoist Friend Jing had better save your breath."

Jingyun's gaze swept over the Beast Taming Sect disciples, and he sneered in his heart.

Do these juniors think they can defeat Xuan Che just by relying on their numbers?

They are truly ignorant of Xuan Che's heaven-defying luck.

"Daoist Friend Wen's words are too condescending toward Jing; I only fear that when the time comes, Daoist Friend Wen will find the stakes too high and not dare to bet."

Jingyun sneered, flipped his palm, and an exquisite palm-sized Purple Cauldron appeared in his palm.

"Jing will use this item as the stake, how about it?"

Seeing the small purple cauldron in Jingyun's hand, Wen Yuan's expression tightened.

This small purple cauldron was the strongest Magic Treasure on Jingyun's person; he was actually willing to take it out as a stake!

Is he really that confident?

Wen Yuan's gaze could not help but fall upon Xuan Che.

Although Jingyun did not say it explicitly, this person was the leader of the Jade Cauldron Sect disciples; one did not need to guess to know that Jingyun wanted to compare him with the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect.

It's just that...

After noticing the look of anxiety on Xuan Che's face, his heart stirred.

It seems this person himself doesn't have much confidence either!

Or could it be...

That his expression was deliberately disguised to mislead him?

Just as Wen Yuan was secretly speculating in his heart, Xuan Che was already burning with anxiety and continued to transmit his voice to Jingyun, "Elder, something happened in the Secret Realm that caused my harvest to not be as much as imagined. You must not continue to gamble."

Jingyun was startled, then smiled lightly, "You child, humility is a virtue, but excessive humility is self-deprecation."

"I have confidence in you."

"But~"

Xuan Che wanted to say something more, but Jingyun interrupted him with some dissatisfaction, "Che'er, no more 'buts', I have my own judgment."

After speaking, he gave Xuan Che no further chance to respond and looked at Wen Yuan, "Daoist Friend Wen, my stake has already been brought out; you must not be too stingy, otherwise, it will only make you a laughingstock for no reason."

Wen Yuan came back to his senses, frowned, and said expressionlessly, "Daoist Friend Jing jests. Wen is betting with this item, which should surely be enough to match your Purple Cloud Cauldron."

As he spoke, he took out a Flying Sword that looked like it was cast from crystal. This Flying Sword was unremarkable, but the moment he saw it, Jingyun's eyes suddenly lit up.

Both he and Wen Yuan were at the Void Refinement Perfection Stage in cultivation, and their methods were on par with each other.

The reason he had suffered losses was precisely because of this sword.

This sword was the strongest Magic Treasure on Wen Yuan's person; it was a pure offensive treasure, and its power was extremely formidable.

Although his own strongest Magic Treasure, the Purple Cloud Cauldron, was not weaker than this sword in terms of comprehensive ability, it was slightly inferior in pure offensive power, which was why he had fallen into a disadvantage.

If he could seize this sword, his strength would surely receive a significant boost, while Wen Yuan would suffer heavy losses.

"Good, since that is the case, then it is settled."

Jingyun seemed afraid that Wen Yuan would go back on his word and hurriedly finalized the bet.

Afterward, appearing still not quite at ease, he looked toward the Elders of the Sacred Palace and Tianlang Hall.

"To prevent anyone from refusing to honor the debt after losing, I must trouble the two Daoist Friends to act as witnesses."

Upon hearing this, the two looked at Wen Yuan.

Wen Yuan said indifferently, "Having witnesses is fine; it just so happens that Wen also does not trust Daoist Friend Jing's character."

Hearing Wen Yuan's words, a cold glint flashed in Jingyun's eyes.

The two seemed as if they had heard nothing, nodding with calm smiles, "Since that is the case, then the two of us shall act as these witnesses."

Seeing the two agree, Jingyun finally set his heart at ease and, no longer hiding the excitement in his heart, laughed out loud, "Wen Yuan, oh Wen Yuan, you are destined to lose."

Wen Yuan frowned, "Daoist Friend Jing, the outcome has not yet been revealed; are you so certain you can win?"

"Wen Yuan, you know nothing of destiny."

"Today, Jing will let you witness what it means to be favored by destiny, and what it means to be..."

"A Child of Destiny."

Jingyun smiled triumphantly, turned his head to look at Xuan Che, and said with full confidence, "Che'er, take out all the treasures you obtained from the Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm; let them open their eyes."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Che showed a look of hesitation.

Seeing this, Jingyun frowned and secretly transmitted his voice, "Che'er, what are you hesitating for? Could it be you fear I would embezzle your harvest?"

"No, Elder, I~"

Xuan Che hesitated for a moment.

"Hurry up and take them out."

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, yet Xuan Che still had not obediently taken out his harvest, he suddenly felt he had lost face.

He simply stopped transmitting his voice and spoke directly.

Hearing the stern words of Elder Jingyun, Xuan Che sighed, waved his palm, and took out three Jade Slips.

Seeing the three Jade Slips Xuan Che took out, Elder Jingyun was stunned, "Keep taking them out."

Xuan Che shook his head with a bitter smile, "Elder, there are only these."

Jingyun's expression froze.

Only three Jade Slips?

Could it be that after Xuan Che entered the Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm, he stayed in the Dharma Hall the whole time?

With his destiny, he actually only obtained three "Techniques"?

Could it be...

That these three "Techniques" are all top-tier?

The Alchemy Emperor was a Great Vehicle Perfection cultivator; the top-tier Techniques he left behind would make even Great Vehicle Stage cultivators envious, and they are worth a fortune.

If these three Jade Slips all contained Techniques of this level, it might be possible to make up for the gap in quantity with quality and help him win the bet.

Thinking of this, the worries in his heart all dissipated.