C23 Bet

Three days later, at dawn, a lone rider swiftly departed from River City. Just beyond the city gates, Lu Chen spotted Su Xue waiting by the roadside.

"Since you've arrived, let's set off!"

Without a word, Su Xue vaulted onto a chestnut horse beside her and galloped away from River City.

Lu Chen glanced back at the city, sighed softly, and with a gentle flick of his riding crop, set off in pursuit of Su Xue.

Over the past three days, he had made sure Uncle Mo was well settled, leaving him with no further ties to River City.

The pair rode side by side, alternating between trots and stops. Two days flew by, and after covering thousands of miles, they reached the foot of a majestic mountain range.

This grand chain of mountains, known as the Chen Yu Mountain Range, stretched for hundreds of miles, lush and teeming with vibrant Essence Qi—a perfect haven for cultivation.

The Essence Star Sect was nestled within these mountains.

The entrance to the mountain range featured an imposing, man-made gate, ten yards wide and twenty yards high, with the words "Essence Star Sect" inscribed above it, striking awe in all who beheld it.

The gate was bustling with disciples coming and going, a hive of activity.

"As the month draws to a close, those responsible for recruiting new disciples should have already returned," Su Xue murmured to Lu Chen. "Let's head through the mountain gate."

Lu Chen nodded, dismounted, and followed Su Xue toward the gate.

"Isn't that Junior Sister Su Xue?"

A voice tinged with surprise called out from behind.

Lu Chen turned to see a woman in her twenties, clad in green, with a figure that was both shapely and elegant, and a delicate face marred only by her thin, somewhat stern lips.

Behind her followed four individuals—two men and two women—all around sixteen or seventeen years old, exuding an air of arrogance and a robust aura that they made no attempt to hide.

Lu Chen scrutinized them closely, his eyebrows arching slightly. All four were at the first Layer of Essence Condensation.

Led by a woman in green, they strutted over and positioned themselves in front of Lu Chen and his companion.

Su Xue's eyebrows knit together slightly as she spoke in an icy tone, "Lin Xin, what are you trying to do? Step aside!"

Unmoved, Lin Xin continued to obstruct their way.

"Junior Sister Su Xue, was your journey down the mountain successful?"

Lin Xin's lips curled into a chilly smile, her words seemingly laced with another meaning.

Lu Chen, standing nearby, looked up and observed the two women with a curious gaze.

A glint of frost flashed in Su Xue's eyes. "That's none of your concern."

With that, Su Xue turned to Lu Chen and said coldly, "We're leaving."

"Junior Sister Su Xue, there's no need to rush off."

Lin Xin's eyes then fell on Lu Chen, and with a mocking tone, she said, "I had thought that with Junior Sister Su Xue's discernment, this trip would surely be illustrious. To my surprise, it seems you've ended up with nothing more than a placeholder."

Lu Chen, slightly taken aback by her words, was not pleased to find himself the target of provocation.

Before Su Xue could respond, Lu Chen stepped forward and offered a mild smile, "Senior Sister Lin Xin, am I correct in assuming that the four individuals behind you are also at the Essence Gathering Stage, Layer One?"

Lin Xin's face grew colder; she hadn't expected Lu Chen to so boldly counter her words.

"Be silent! You have no place to speak here."

A powerful aura burst forth from Lin Xin, instantly engulfing Lu Chen.

With a thud, Lu Chen, caught off guard, was struck by Lin Xin's force, causing him to stagger back.

"Before you've even officially joined the Essence Star Sect, you dare to show disrespect to an inner sect disciple. Today, I'll give you a minor lesson to prevent any future insolence towards the sect's higher-ups that could cost you your life. Kneil down!"

Clearly, Lin Xin was not about to let Lu Chen off the hook. She lifted her hand and swiftly brought it down towards him.

In an instant, Lu Chen felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon him, as if a mountain bore down on his spine, compelling him to kneel.

His fists clenched tightly, Lu Chen's eyes reddened as he summoned the elemental energy within him to surge wildly, countering the oppressive force surrounding him.

"Lin Xin, who do you think you are to discipline me?" Su Xue interjected, stepping in front of Lu Chen. With a graceful sweep of her hand, a powerful aura emanated from her, neutralizing Lin Xin's dominance.

"Hehe, Junior Sister Su Xue, you seem quite protective of him. Is there, perhaps, a secret connection between you two?"

Despite Su Xue's typically stoic demeanor, Lin Xin's insinuation caused a chilling anger to spread across her face.

"Lu Chen, don't pay her any mind. Let's go," Su Xue said, casting a cold glance at Lin Xin before turning to speak softly to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen remained still, his eyes slightly squinted, fixated on Lin Xin. In a frosty tone, he challenged, "Lin Xin, you claim I'm just here to fill a spot. If that's the case, let's make a wager. I'll take on the four behind you by myself. If I lose, you can do with me as you please today. But if I win, you'll kneel right here and apologize. Do you have the courage?"

His voice resonated with conviction, echoing to all around. The nearby disciples listened, startled at first, but then they quickly gathered around, intrigued by the unfolding challenge.

"How presumptuous!" Lin Xin's expression chilled further at Lu Chen's demand for an apology, a hint of murderous intent flickering in her eyes.

"You, a mere wretch, what right do you have to wager with me? Your life is less than that of an ant in my eyes."

"If Lu Chen is unworthy, might I be worthy to bet with you?" Su Xue asked, her composure unshaken, her voice steady.

At first surprised by Su Xue's proposition, Lin Xin soon broke into laughter, convinced that Su Xue was acting out of desperation, throwing caution to the wind.

Seizing the opportunity to embarrass her rival, she couldn't help but sneer. "I'm more than qualified."

With a graceful flip of her hand, a bright red fruit the size of an egg materialized in her palm, instantly releasing a rich, medicinal fragrance that wafted through the air. Those around her could feel the Origin Power within them begin to stir just from the scent.

"A Spirit Rank Middle Level Red Fruit. I'm curious, Junior Sister, what do you have that could possibly match this?" Lin Xin's challenge immediately drew gasps from the onlookers.

"What?! That's a Spirit Rank Middle Level Red Fruit?"

"If I could get my hands on one, I'm certain I'd break through to Essence Gathering Layer Four."

Su Xue was taken aback by the Red Fruit in Lin Xin's hand. The fruit was indeed a rare and precious spiritual medicine, and she hesitated, knowing she had nothing else of equal value to wager—except for that one item.

"Is Junior Sister Su Xue too scared to proceed?" Lin Xin taunted.

"Take the bet with her. Trust me, I'm sure to win," Lu Chen encouraged, exhaling softly as he locked eyes with Su Xue.

Meeting Lu Chen's intense, dark gaze, something within Su Xue compelled her to trust him, and she gave a slight nod in agreement.

"Alright, I trust you," she whispered, her voice tinged with determination.

With a hum, an energy pulse emanated from her, and a glow appeared on Su Xue's forehead. A thumb-sized red fragment shimmered into view, radiating an enigmatic presence. "Lin Xin, if you win, this Divine Weapon Fragment is yours."

"What? A Divine Weapon Fragment!"

The shout from within the crowd set off a wave of excitement, and all eyes swiftly turned to the luminescent mark on Su Xue's forehead.