Chapter 71
One bet, unbreakable!
Inside the pavilion.
Upon hearing Gu Lin's words, Xuan Yuan Qin Yin coldly scrutinized him.
I have to admit, this kid is definitely something special.
In such a desperate situation, he remained extremely calm, reacted swiftly to seize the opening, and escaped danger in full view of everyone.
As she had anticipated, the boy would be imprisoned in Purgatory Cliff, then weep bitterly, send a message offering the corpse of the mirage demon and the mirage crystal, and apologize. She could then step in and reveal to the Dao Ji Si that she was the one who imprisoned the members of the Martial Extreme Hall.
However, the plan backfired.
Her voice was chilling as she said:
"No matter how eloquent you are, I still suffered a great loss. I, Xuanyuan Qinyin, never suffer a loss!"
Gu Lin lost his patience:
"You've come here demanding an explanation, what exactly do you want? I've already been promoted to squad leader using the corpse of the mirage demon, and that's an indisputable outcome!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin spoke each word with deliberation:
"Give me back my Mirage Crystal, and I'll compensate you with 50,000 contribution points!"
When people in holy sites talk about resources, they usually use contribution points, which represent resources for cultivation.
Gu Lin smiled and rejected the idea without hesitation:
"The mirage crystals have already been sold, and as for the 50,000 contribution points, that's absurd and laughable. I could work myself to death and still not accumulate 5,000 contribution points."
Xuanyuan Qinyin walked slowly towards them, her gaze growing colder:
"You're lying! The mirage crystal is still in your hands!"
"If one year's contribution points aren't enough, then two years, five years, when will you send me a message?"
The other party was aggressive, but Gu Lin was not about to back down:
"If this task were accomplished by you alone, and you are now coming to accuse me, I know I am in the wrong, and I will certainly compensate you. I, Gu Lin, have always been a reasonable person!"
"But you also plundered a minor banner of the Martial Peak Hall, stealing their fruits. We're all robbing, just in different ways. Why should I compensate you?"
To put it bluntly, we're in cahoots!
Xuanyuan Qinyin is enraged:
"You're the shameless, greedy wolf!"
Gu Lin asked in a deep voice:
"Lord Xuanyuan, the Chu State Holy Land Grand Competition is in three days. As the Hundred-Household Commander of the Eastern Temple, do you think it's appropriate for you to choose this time to challenge me?"
"I want to bring glory to the Eastern Temple of Chuzhou, but Lord Xuanyuan is doing everything he can to obstruct me and ruin my peace of mind. What are his intentions?"
Xuanyuan Qinyin laughed in exasperation, this kid's ability to pin a crime on someone was truly first-rate.
She made no secret of it:
"What glory are you fighting for? Do you think I don't know you?"
"You are proficient in both Confucianism and martial arts, and you are also a practitioner of Gu Dao. This skill is truly remarkable and I am quite envious. However, your talent and physique are too ordinary. You may have a special physique that makes you very skilled in combat, but talent determines everything."
"You can only get into the top twelve at best. Once you're in the top twelve, you won't win a single game!"
The two spent many days together at the Yin Yang Sect, and she personally witnessed how difficult it was for this young man to cultivate the Yin Yang Qiankun Palm, and how slow the flow of his acupoints was, indicating that his talent was truly mediocre.
Gu Lin countered with a question:
"What if I win?"
Xuanyuan Qinyin seized the opportunity and decisively said:
"If you make it into the top twelve and win just one game, our dispute will be even."
"Win two games, and I'll give you 50,000 contribution points!"
"Win three games, 100,000!"
"Four wins, 150,000!"
"But if you don't make it into the top twelve, or if you don't win a single game after making it into the top twelve, then you have to give me back the Mirage Crystal, compensate me with 50,000 contribution points, and most importantly, kowtow to me to apologize and write a 10,000-word article to make me feel better and less resentful."
Gu Lin did not hesitate at all:
"Accepted!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin said without any mercy:
"I have absolutely no trust in your character; you're the one who drafts and stamps contracts!"
Gu Lin did not move, and calmly said:
"I hope Lord Xuanyuan will also draft a written contract."
He distrusted Xuanyuan Qinyin's character even more, considering she was a mere Hundred-Household Officer of the Eastern Temple who readily kidnapped and imprisoned members of the Martial Arts Hall...
Xuanyuan Qinyin stared at Gu Lin for a long time with a cold expression, then lightly tapped the gilded storage ring, picked up the pen and wrote the contract in a swift motion, finally affixing the seal of the Hundred Households.
Gu Lin also took out his pen and signed a contract.
The two exchanged the items for safekeeping, and a barely perceptible smile lingered in the depths of their eyes.
Xuanyuan Qinyin coldly said:
"You can leave now."
Gu Lin was speechless.
"This is my residence."
Xuanyuan Qinyin strolled leisurely, her tone chilling as she spoke:
"It is a great honor for you, the centurion of the Toji Temple, to stay at your home. You may leave!!"
Gu Lin, too lazy to say more, left the garden.
He was naturally happy.
Winning one more game earns you 50,000 contribution points!!
Xuanyuan Qinyin watched the boy's retreating figure, a slight smile curving her lips.
She concluded that the top twelve was the limit, and that the young man surnamed Gu should obediently kowtow and apologize!
Only by kneeling at her feet and apologizing could he dispel her resentment.
During the meal, Mother Zhou Man still invited this Lord Dongsi. She kept staring at this unbelievably beautiful woman, wondering when Lin'er would have such a boss.
That kind of temperament and that stunning appearance are truly something I've never seen before.
After the meal, Xuanyuan Qinyin nodded in satisfaction:
"It tastes good."
After saying that, she asked Zhou Man for one hundred taels of silver, disguised herself and changed her clothes, and then asked Zhou Man to take her for a stroll around Chuzhou City.
This is also why she didn't want to live on Luoxia Mountain; she needed to take advantage of these two days to enjoy the scenery of Chuzhou City.
.......
Half an hour later, Gu Lin also disguised himself and went out.
What else can I do to improve my combat strength?
The Way of Gu!
That's right, he's going to buy Gu worms.
As a second-stage Gu practitioner, one can only refine four types of Gu worms: Anti-Sorrow Gu, Demon-Seeking Gu, Swift-Moving Gu, and Earth-Escape Gu.
The Swift Movement Gu and Earth Escape Gu were prepared by myself when I was in the Yin Yang Sect for escaping, and can now be removed.
You can also purchase two types of Gu worms!
The Holy Land Grand Competition cannot afford to be lost!
Instead of going to the three major auction houses, Gu Lin went to the remote "Nanzhan Gu Tower" in Luoxia City, which was the place that specialized in selling Gu insects.
The Southern Continent, one of the five major states of the Divine Dynasty, is famous for producing geniuses in witchcraft and sorcery, and also possesses all sorts of strange and wonderful sorcery insects.
An hour later, Gu Lin arrived at the Gu Tower.
The place was completely silent, with a plaque hanging diagonally outside the building, covered in cobwebs. There were no greeters at the door, and stepping inside, one felt a chilling atmosphere.
An elderly man with thinning white hair walked slowly over and said in a hoarse voice:
"Go explore on your own."
Gu Lin nodded and followed him to the counter, which was filled with countless Gu vessels.
In terms of quality and power, these Gu worms are several times stronger than those sold at auction!
He wandered around for a long time, his gaze finally settling on a small, bright red, oval-shaped insect.
"The second-stage Yang Cauldron Gu, when refined, will increase Yang energy threefold."
Gu Lin asked directly:
"price?"
This Gu worm is a perfect match for the extremely powerful and masculine Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms!
Adding three times the Yang energy means that the power of the Eighteen Palms will be several levels higher!
The hunchbacked old man replied:
"Nineteen high-grade spirit stones."
Gu Lin shook his head:
"Too expensive."
A first-stage Gu worm costs between one hundred and two hundred low-grade spirit stones, which is equivalent to one or two high-grade spirit stones.
A second-stage Gu worm requires eight to twelve high-grade spirit stones.
The old man said with a smile:
"There's a reason why they're so expensive. These are top-quality Gu worms cultivated in Nanzhanling Mountain. We never sell Gu worms cheaply."
Gu Lin did not haggle any further and continued to browse the counter.
After a long while, his gaze fell on a dark brown insect covered in a tortoise shell, its back like cast meteorite iron. Although the insect was only the size of a fingernail, it exuded a majestic aura.
"The Indestructible Gu: Refining this Gu can withstand an attack from someone below the Mountain and Sea Realm. Once activated, the Gu worm will perish."
In other words, this is a one-time use Gu worm; it will be destroyed once used.
"How much?" Gu Lin asked.
The old man spoke: "Fifty-four high-grade spirit stones!"
Before Gu Lin could speak, the old man said firmly:
"Just cultivating this Gu cost thirty-one high-grade spirit stones. Do you still think it's expensive? This is a life-saving item in critical moments!"
Gu Lin turned and left:
"Come and collect the Gu worms tomorrow."
Money is not a problem; the indestructible Gu is indeed practical.
Of course, no Gu worm is as good as his own Anti-Sorrow Gu.
In the Yin-Yang Sect's underground passage, besides the Anti-Sorrow Gu, which other Gu worm can suppress and kill the Mirage Demon?
Unfortunately, he couldn't find a Gu master burdened with sins to obtain the unique method of refining Gu worms, so how could he possibly be interested in Gu worms from the outside world?
.......
The following morning, Gu Lin went to the Daoji Division.
I transferred 8,000 contribution points and exchanged them for 80 high-grade spirit stones.
Disguised, they arrived at the Gu Tower, handed over seventy-three high-grade spirit stones, and took away two Gu vessels.
In one day, the two Gu worms were refined.
Upon hearing Gu Lin's words, Xuan Yuan Qin Yin coldly scrutinized him.
I have to admit, this kid is definitely something special.
In such a desperate situation, he remained extremely calm, reacted swiftly to seize the opening, and escaped danger in full view of everyone.
As she had anticipated, the boy would be imprisoned in Purgatory Cliff, then weep bitterly, send a message offering the corpse of the mirage demon and the mirage crystal, and apologize. She could then step in and reveal to the Dao Ji Si that she was the one who imprisoned the members of the Martial Extreme Hall.
However, the plan backfired.
Her voice was chilling as she said:
"No matter how eloquent you are, I still suffered a great loss. I, Xuanyuan Qinyin, never suffer a loss!"
Gu Lin lost his patience:
"You've come here demanding an explanation, what exactly do you want? I've already been promoted to squad leader using the corpse of the mirage demon, and that's an indisputable outcome!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin spoke each word with deliberation:
"Give me back my Mirage Crystal, and I'll compensate you with 50,000 contribution points!"
When people in holy sites talk about resources, they usually use contribution points, which represent resources for cultivation.
Gu Lin smiled and rejected the idea without hesitation:
"The mirage crystals have already been sold, and as for the 50,000 contribution points, that's absurd and laughable. I could work myself to death and still not accumulate 5,000 contribution points."
Xuanyuan Qinyin walked slowly towards them, her gaze growing colder:
"You're lying! The mirage crystal is still in your hands!"
"If one year's contribution points aren't enough, then two years, five years, when will you send me a message?"
The other party was aggressive, but Gu Lin was not about to back down:
"If this task were accomplished by you alone, and you are now coming to accuse me, I know I am in the wrong, and I will certainly compensate you. I, Gu Lin, have always been a reasonable person!"
"But you also plundered a minor banner of the Martial Peak Hall, stealing their fruits. We're all robbing, just in different ways. Why should I compensate you?"
To put it bluntly, we're in cahoots!
Xuanyuan Qinyin is enraged:
"You're the shameless, greedy wolf!"
Gu Lin asked in a deep voice:
"Lord Xuanyuan, the Chu State Holy Land Grand Competition is in three days. As the Hundred-Household Commander of the Eastern Temple, do you think it's appropriate for you to choose this time to challenge me?"
"I want to bring glory to the Eastern Temple of Chuzhou, but Lord Xuanyuan is doing everything he can to obstruct me and ruin my peace of mind. What are his intentions?"
Xuanyuan Qinyin laughed in exasperation, this kid's ability to pin a crime on someone was truly first-rate.
She made no secret of it:
"What glory are you fighting for? Do you think I don't know you?"
"You are proficient in both Confucianism and martial arts, and you are also a practitioner of Gu Dao. This skill is truly remarkable and I am quite envious. However, your talent and physique are too ordinary. You may have a special physique that makes you very skilled in combat, but talent determines everything."
"You can only get into the top twelve at best. Once you're in the top twelve, you won't win a single game!"
The two spent many days together at the Yin Yang Sect, and she personally witnessed how difficult it was for this young man to cultivate the Yin Yang Qiankun Palm, and how slow the flow of his acupoints was, indicating that his talent was truly mediocre.
Gu Lin countered with a question:
"What if I win?"
Xuanyuan Qinyin seized the opportunity and decisively said:
"If you make it into the top twelve and win just one game, our dispute will be even."
"Win two games, and I'll give you 50,000 contribution points!"
"Win three games, 100,000!"
"Four wins, 150,000!"
"But if you don't make it into the top twelve, or if you don't win a single game after making it into the top twelve, then you have to give me back the Mirage Crystal, compensate me with 50,000 contribution points, and most importantly, kowtow to me to apologize and write a 10,000-word article to make me feel better and less resentful."
Gu Lin did not hesitate at all:
"Accepted!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin said without any mercy:
"I have absolutely no trust in your character; you're the one who drafts and stamps contracts!"
Gu Lin did not move, and calmly said:
"I hope Lord Xuanyuan will also draft a written contract."
He distrusted Xuanyuan Qinyin's character even more, considering she was a mere Hundred-Household Officer of the Eastern Temple who readily kidnapped and imprisoned members of the Martial Arts Hall...
Xuanyuan Qinyin stared at Gu Lin for a long time with a cold expression, then lightly tapped the gilded storage ring, picked up the pen and wrote the contract in a swift motion, finally affixing the seal of the Hundred Households.
Gu Lin also took out his pen and signed a contract.
The two exchanged the items for safekeeping, and a barely perceptible smile lingered in the depths of their eyes.
Xuanyuan Qinyin coldly said:
"You can leave now."
Gu Lin was speechless.
"This is my residence."
Xuanyuan Qinyin strolled leisurely, her tone chilling as she spoke:
"It is a great honor for you, the centurion of the Toji Temple, to stay at your home. You may leave!!"
Gu Lin, too lazy to say more, left the garden.
He was naturally happy.
Winning one more game earns you 50,000 contribution points!!
Xuanyuan Qinyin watched the boy's retreating figure, a slight smile curving her lips.
She concluded that the top twelve was the limit, and that the young man surnamed Gu should obediently kowtow and apologize!
Only by kneeling at her feet and apologizing could he dispel her resentment.
During the meal, Mother Zhou Man still invited this Lord Dongsi. She kept staring at this unbelievably beautiful woman, wondering when Lin'er would have such a boss.
That kind of temperament and that stunning appearance are truly something I've never seen before.
After the meal, Xuanyuan Qinyin nodded in satisfaction:
"It tastes good."
After saying that, she asked Zhou Man for one hundred taels of silver, disguised herself and changed her clothes, and then asked Zhou Man to take her for a stroll around Chuzhou City.
This is also why she didn't want to live on Luoxia Mountain; she needed to take advantage of these two days to enjoy the scenery of Chuzhou City.
.......
Half an hour later, Gu Lin also disguised himself and went out.
What else can I do to improve my combat strength?
The Way of Gu!
That's right, he's going to buy Gu worms.
As a second-stage Gu practitioner, one can only refine four types of Gu worms: Anti-Sorrow Gu, Demon-Seeking Gu, Swift-Moving Gu, and Earth-Escape Gu.
The Swift Movement Gu and Earth Escape Gu were prepared by myself when I was in the Yin Yang Sect for escaping, and can now be removed.
You can also purchase two types of Gu worms!
The Holy Land Grand Competition cannot afford to be lost!
Instead of going to the three major auction houses, Gu Lin went to the remote "Nanzhan Gu Tower" in Luoxia City, which was the place that specialized in selling Gu insects.
The Southern Continent, one of the five major states of the Divine Dynasty, is famous for producing geniuses in witchcraft and sorcery, and also possesses all sorts of strange and wonderful sorcery insects.
An hour later, Gu Lin arrived at the Gu Tower.
The place was completely silent, with a plaque hanging diagonally outside the building, covered in cobwebs. There were no greeters at the door, and stepping inside, one felt a chilling atmosphere.
An elderly man with thinning white hair walked slowly over and said in a hoarse voice:
"Go explore on your own."
Gu Lin nodded and followed him to the counter, which was filled with countless Gu vessels.
In terms of quality and power, these Gu worms are several times stronger than those sold at auction!
He wandered around for a long time, his gaze finally settling on a small, bright red, oval-shaped insect.
"The second-stage Yang Cauldron Gu, when refined, will increase Yang energy threefold."
Gu Lin asked directly:
"price?"
This Gu worm is a perfect match for the extremely powerful and masculine Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms!
Adding three times the Yang energy means that the power of the Eighteen Palms will be several levels higher!
The hunchbacked old man replied:
"Nineteen high-grade spirit stones."
Gu Lin shook his head:
"Too expensive."
A first-stage Gu worm costs between one hundred and two hundred low-grade spirit stones, which is equivalent to one or two high-grade spirit stones.
A second-stage Gu worm requires eight to twelve high-grade spirit stones.
The old man said with a smile:
"There's a reason why they're so expensive. These are top-quality Gu worms cultivated in Nanzhanling Mountain. We never sell Gu worms cheaply."
Gu Lin did not haggle any further and continued to browse the counter.
After a long while, his gaze fell on a dark brown insect covered in a tortoise shell, its back like cast meteorite iron. Although the insect was only the size of a fingernail, it exuded a majestic aura.
"The Indestructible Gu: Refining this Gu can withstand an attack from someone below the Mountain and Sea Realm. Once activated, the Gu worm will perish."
In other words, this is a one-time use Gu worm; it will be destroyed once used.
"How much?" Gu Lin asked.
The old man spoke: "Fifty-four high-grade spirit stones!"
Before Gu Lin could speak, the old man said firmly:
"Just cultivating this Gu cost thirty-one high-grade spirit stones. Do you still think it's expensive? This is a life-saving item in critical moments!"
Gu Lin turned and left:
"Come and collect the Gu worms tomorrow."
Money is not a problem; the indestructible Gu is indeed practical.
Of course, no Gu worm is as good as his own Anti-Sorrow Gu.
In the Yin-Yang Sect's underground passage, besides the Anti-Sorrow Gu, which other Gu worm can suppress and kill the Mirage Demon?
Unfortunately, he couldn't find a Gu master burdened with sins to obtain the unique method of refining Gu worms, so how could he possibly be interested in Gu worms from the outside world?
.......
The following morning, Gu Lin went to the Daoji Division.
I transferred 8,000 contribution points and exchanged them for 80 high-grade spirit stones.
Disguised, they arrived at the Gu Tower, handed over seventy-three high-grade spirit stones, and took away two Gu vessels.
In one day, the two Gu worms were refined.