Chapter 256

"Wang You is quite greedy, but their gains in the secret realm are none of my concern—I cannot decide for them; they must agree themselves." Bi Xinxiu replied indifferently.

"Hmph, I gained quite a bit in the secret realm. If I don't get their storage bags too, then forget this bet—I'd rather fight men directly." Wang Yu snorted.

"If you insist, then let us three confer for a moment." Bi Xinxiu, seeing this, paused briefly before speaking.

"Fine. I'll wait here." Under hyper-frequency enhancement, Wang Yu's mind grew utterly calm, utterly ignoring the woman's astonishing allure as he stood motionless on the iron boat.

Bi Xinxiu's eyes glided with liquid charm as she whispered to the two women above the giant leaf.

"What do you think? Did you hear Wang Shan's terms?"

"Bi Daoist, when we came, we agreed you only needed our help to pressure him so you could use your charm art on him—not to put up stakes for you. What if we lose? I won't accept this condition."

"Bi Shijie, Ye Gu niang speaks truth. Before we came, I told you—I saw this monster slay two of our sect's top disciples in one battle. His strength may even surpass Zhu Wuyan."

"If not for the great favor I owe you, I'd never have come with you. Now you want me to risk my own storage bag? That seems unfair." The matron replied with a bitter smile, clearly reluctant.

"Don't worry—I won't lose this bet. The stronger he is, the more I need a chance to unleash my charm art fully. If I lose, I'll compensate you both with the exact value of your stakes in spirit stones."

"Also, I know Ye Daoist has been searching for 'Night Phase Moth' powder. I happen to have a vial left—I'll give it to you after."

"Min Shimei, I know you've been stuck at Qi Condensation peak for a long time. You entered this realm hoping to trade for a Foundation Establishment Pill. I guarantee: no matter the outcome of this bet, once we leave the realm, I'll secure one for you from our sect." Bi Xinxiu's voice remained calm as she whispered again.

"Bi Daoist, are you serious?"

"If so, then I agree."

The two women, who had been scowling, suddenly felt their hearts stir at the pink-robed woman's words.

"Though we're not close friends, we've known each other for years. When has Bi Xinxiu ever broken her word? Do you think I'd risk my reputation over this?" Bi Xinxiu replied with pride.

Ye Zhen and the other woman exchanged glances, whispered a few more words, then finally agreed.

"Wang You, we've decided. We accept your terms." The pink-robed woman ended her whisper and spoke to Wang Yu coolly.

"Good. Where will we fight? Here? And how do we determine victory or defeat?" Wang Yu's expression grew serious upon hearing her acceptance.

"This place isn't suitable. Let's go to the hill below. I'll draw a circle on the ground, then dance for you. Within the time of one incense stick, if you're moved by my charm art and step outside the circle, you lose. If you remain still until the incense burns out, I lose." Bi Xinxiu spoke slowly.

"Agreed."

Wang Yu considered briefly, then nodded without hesitation.

"Excellent. Wang You is truly a man of spirit. Come down with me. You two stay up here—don't come down unless I call." Bi Xinxiu's eyes finally flickered with delight.

The Joy Palace matron waved her Heavenly Fragrance Fan downward several times; pink mist rolled outward and vanished in moments.

The black serpents hidden within the mist surged toward Ye Zhen and slithered into her waist pouch.

The two women remained atop the giant leaf artifact, silently awaiting the outcome below.

Wang Yu and Bi Xinxiu descended toward the small hill.

Wang Yu leapt directly from the iron boat, his body plummeting like a boulder—*thud*—his calves sank deep into the hill's soil before he calmly pulled them free.

Bi Xinxiu's slender form floated down gracefully, her posture elegant as a celestial maiden descending.

Wang Yu's green-red long knife moved; he swiftly carved a circle nearly ten feet wide with its tip, then stopped and asked the pink-robed woman:

"Is this size sufficient?"

"More than enough. But before I use my charm art, I have one more thing to do." Bi Xinxiu nodded, then withdrew a pale white talisman from her sleeve and tossed it upward.

*Whoosh.

The talisman dissolved into a white glow, spun once in midair, then became a translucent white curtain that enveloped the entire hilltop.

"Bi Daoist, what is this for?" Wang Yu's face darkened; his fingers tightened around the green-red long knife.

"Don't misunderstand, Wang You. This is merely a sealing talisman—it blocks sight and sound, but imposes no restraint."

"If you doubt it, test it. You wouldn't want your own secret arts seen by others, would you?" Bi Xinxiu explained calmly.

"Of course I'll test it."

Wang Yu didn't hesitate—he walked in and out of the white curtain several times, encountering no resistance, and finally relaxed slightly.

Yet as he stepped back inside the curtain, he slapped his waist pouch and pulled out three small blue banners, tossing them to the four corners of the hill, planting them firmly in the soil.

*Whoosh, whoosh. Pale blue mist surged from the banners, forming a thin veil within the white curtain in moments.

"Wang You, what is this?" The pink-robed woman's eyes turned cold.

"Nothing much—just don't want to be at a disadvantage. You cast a talisman; I set up a minor illusion array. What's wrong with that?"

"Let's begin. I don't want to stay here long." Wang Yu yawned, walked to the center of the circle, and sat cross-legged.

Bi Xinxiu snorted softly, then silently accepted it—she pulled out a small incense burner and a candle from her robes.

A flicker of flame danced from her fingertip; she lit the candle, inserted it into the burner, then flicked her wrist to launch the burner steadily onto the ground several zhang away. Next, she withdrew several golden bells, hanging them one by one on her wrists and ankles.

Wang Yu's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

Bi Xinxiu scanned the surroundings once more, seemed satisfied, then glanced at Wang Yu in the circle. Her eyes suddenly glowed with seductive charm; her snow-white wrist moved gently as she lifted the veil from her face.

A face of unearthly beauty appeared.