Chapter 96
As Madam Fu spoke, the bead in her hand pulsed with an alluring light, captivating those who beheld it, igniting a desire to possess it…
Without hesitation, Qin Lingxiao and his father lunged for the bead.
But with a wave of her hand, Madam Fu vanished the bead.
Even as Qin He, his hand trembling, gripped her throat, she simply smiled. “I’m just a humble servant, sir. My life is worthless. Killing me won’t solve anything.”
Her seductive voice echoed in his ears, but she disappeared, reappearing on the opposite veranda, her smile unwavering. “This island is a place of wish fulfillment. It can sense your deepest desires. With a worthy offering and a bit of luck, your dreams can become reality!”
She vanished again, her laughter lingering in the air. “Oh, and one more thing. Our island master is a passionate gambler. If you refuse to play, you’ll never leave this island! Hahaha…”
Yu Ling’er, bristling at her arrogant threat, scoffed. “What can they do? Stop us by force?”
But Wei Jie, scanning their surroundings, his expression thoughtful, said, “Let’s check the docks.”
No one stopped them as they walked towards the docks.
Numerous ships were moored there, suggesting more visitors had arrived. But their ship, its sails billowing, had turned around and was already sailing away.
Captain Jia and his injured crew, fearing the island master’s wrath for bringing a ship full of demons, had refused to disembark.
While Xiao Xiao and her group were exploring the island, they had decided to abandon their twenty-year lifespans. After all, even a few years of freedom were better than immediate death.
But as they turned the ship around, a strange force pulled at them, and the hull began to take on water. The ship, sinking rapidly, disappeared beneath the waves.
Jia and his crew, scrambling out of the cabins, were swept away by a whirlpool, their cries swallowed by the sea.
Even Xiao Xiao’s attempts to summon water currents to rescue them were futile. An invisible barrier separated the island from the sea. Even Wei Jie’s strikes with the Heaven-Punishing Sword were ineffective.
It seemed Madam Fu’s words were true. Those who refused to gamble… they would never leave this island…
And only those who played could break free from the barrier.
Wei Jie, observing the situation, took Xiao Xiao’s hand. “Let’s see what their gambling den is like.”
The gambling den was located in the main hall at the center of the island. All the visitors seemed to be gathered there, drawn by the bright lights and lively atmosphere.
Xiao Xiao, having spent her childhood observing gamblers, could easily identify them.
They all shared a certain look – a feverish glint in their eyes, a hint of desperation.
Even the most decent individuals, once consumed by gambling, became addicted, as if nothing else could bring them joy.
The hall was filled with such people, huddled around tables, their attention fixed on their cards, their dice, their faces contorted in expressions of excitement or despair.
They observed from the entrance, and Wei Jie asked, “What do you see?”
“They’re… carrying something on their backs…” Xiao Xiao whispered.
Her Yin-Yang Eyes, capable of seeing supernatural entities, allowed her to see clearly. The hall might be brightly lit, but the thick candles emitted a faint, putrid odor, like burning corpse fat, masked by strong incense, but still detectable to her sensitive nose.
And those gamblers, engrossed in their games… each of them had a skeletal figure clinging to their back, its mouth pressed against their ear, whispering.
The gamblers, their eyes wide and manic, would exclaim, “One more hand! My luck’s about to change!”
They emptied their pockets, and those who ran out of money signed promissory notes, offered by the maids, wagering their lifespans for more chips.
Some of the new arrivals, who had disembarked around the same time as them, hadn’t been targeted yet.
But emaciated figures, their grins sinister, lurked nearby, waiting to pounce, slowly crawling towards the unsuspecting newcomers.
Xiao Xiao shuddered. This wasn’t a gambling den. It was a ritual ground, a place where demonic curses were inflicted upon the unsuspecting.
She suddenly turned, wanting to see if she too was being targeted.
But the demonic figures, their fangs bared, were huddled in a corner, watching her, their expressions wary.
They seemed eager to possess her, but something held them back.
Wei Jie, his demonic nature granting him a similar vision, saw them too. He walked towards them, but they scattered, fleeing in terror.
Xiao Xiao, however, lacked this deterrent effect. As she approached, they perked up, their nostrils flaring, as if drawn to a delicious aroma, eager to possess her.
It was understandable. Her body, a vessel of powerful artifacts, was a rare prize.
Seeing them approach, Wei Jie pulled her close, shielding her.
She protested, pointing out the unfairness. They were both demons. Why were they afraid of him, but not her?
He didn’t know either. But Xiao Xiao suspected it was because he was the former ruler of the underworld. Although his divine power core was shattered, his divine soul had awakened.
His emotional turmoil had caused tremors in the underworld, stirring the demonic entities, nearly breaching the barrier.
These lesser demons wouldn’t dare possess him. He was a walking ward in this hall.
Yu Ling’er and the others stayed close to him, creating a safe zone.
Madam Fu reappeared, her gaze fixed on Wei Jie, her smile fading. “May I ask… who you are?”
Wei Jie, his eyes narrowed, his voice cold, said, “You can see the desires of men, yet you can’t see through me? It seems this island’s power is overrated… You’re eager for us to gamble. Which table is ours?”
Since these mind-controlling demons couldn’t touch them, he was curious to see what other tricks this island had up its sleeve.
Madam Fu, her smile returning, gestured towards an empty table in the inner hall. “Your presence is… unique. You don’t need to mingle with the commoners. Please, this way…”
She glanced around, her voice laced with amusement. “What an auspicious day! Our distinguished guests are arriving in pairs…”
Xiao Xiao followed her gaze and saw another individual who wasn’t being targeted by the demons.
A man, wearing a veiled hat, his aura refined, a hint of celestial energy surrounding him.
As he and his attendants were escorted into the inner hall, Xiao Xiao, observing his gait, recognized him instantly. “Ye Yi?”
He chuckled, lifting his veil. “You have sharp eyes, Cui Xiao Xiao.”
It was Ye Yi, possessed by the Dongyuan Emperor. Although his divine power core was damaged, his celestial nature protected him from the taint of this place.
As Madam Fu invited him to sit, he gestured towards Qin Lingxiao and his father, who were still lingering in the outer hall. “Invite them in as well.”
Demons were already crawling towards them. They would soon be consumed by gambling, losing everything.
Madam Fu, seeing his insistence, complied, ushering them into the inner hall.
With a deity and a demon present, the inner hall was a safe haven.
The moment they entered, Qin Lingxiao and his father felt a sense of relief, their bodies lighter, their breaths easier.
They weren’t ordinary cultivators. Although they hadn’t noticed the demons clinging to them, the sudden lightness spoke volumes!
Qin Lingxiao stared at the occupants of the table, bewildered.
Ye Yi greeted him warmly, explaining their previous predicament.
Possessed by the Dongyuan Emperor, he exuded a divine aura, easily captivating mortals.
Qin Lingxiao, swayed by his gentle demeanor and grateful for his intervention, felt a surge of admiration for this Ye Yi.
But Xiao Xiao knew his true nature. She had once been charmed by him, only to be lured into the underworld, nearly ending up on the ferry of the dead.
His sudden kindness towards Qin Lingxiao… it was suspicious. She was certain this young master, even if he didn’t lose everything at the gambling table, would soon be tricked out of his fortune.
Although the inner hall was free of demons, the thick candles emitted a subtle, intoxicating aroma.
Xiao Xiao extinguished them, summoning balls of fire that illuminated the room.
As the cloying scent dissipated, she decided to address the elephant in the room. “May I ask,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, “is this gambling den also your establishment, Dongyuan Emperor? You’ve expanded your business quite a bit!”
Ye Yi chuckled. He wasn’t surprised she had recognized him.
After all, his damaged divine power core had affected all the statues bearing his likeness. It was unavoidable.
“You flatter me,” he said. “I wish it were mine. Then I could offer you all a more… personalized… experience.”
He didn’t deny it. He was indeed the Dongyuan Emperor. But his claim of not being the island master… Xiao Xiao wasn’t convinced.
Before encountering him, she had believed deities to be virtuous and noble.
But after being deceived by him, she realized that even among gods, there were those with corrupt hearts.
She had discussed this with Wei Jie one night.
He had chuckled, his voice laced with cynicism. “Those cultivators who ascend to immortality… they’re not saints. There are plenty who kill their masters, abandon their families, to achieve their goals. Do you think they suddenly become virtuous after reaching the heavens? They simply suppress their earthly desires, focusing on their ascension. If they can be so ruthless towards their own desires, do you think they care about the well-being of mortals?”
His words had made sense.
And the Dongyuan Emperor… he hadn’t even endured a true tribulation. He was a child of privilege, born a god, superior to those who had toiled for their immortality.
She had learned a valuable lesson – never trust a deity completely, especially this one, who was a master of deception.
Qin Lingxiao, however, his eyes widening, was stunned. This elegant gentleman… he was the Dongyuan Emperor?
Every cultivator knew the legends of the Dongyuan Emperor, his battles against demons.
He and the ancient Flame Emperor, the ruler of the underworld, were known for their power.
But to mortal cultivators, the ancient Flame Emperor was more relatable. After all, they weren’t children of gods. They had to earn their immortality through hard work, like him.
There were even rumors that the ancient Flame Emperor was more powerful than the Dongyuan Emperor, that he had been sent to the underworld to protect the Dongyuan Emperor, a favor to his mother.
Of course, these were just rumors. After all, there were temples dedicated to the Dongyuan Emperor everywhere, but none for the ruler of the underworld.
And the ancient Flame Emperor… his legend had faded.
Qin Lingxiao, looking at Ye Yi, saw the divine mark on his forehead, confirming his identity. He quickly offered his thanks for his earlier intervention.
Ye Yi smiled warmly. “You’re a talented young man, Qin Lingxiao. Being tainted by those demons would have harmed your cultivation. I couldn’t stand by and watch.”
Xiao Xiao, observing them, felt a chill run down her spine. Ye Yi’s sudden kindness towards Qin Lingxiao… it was unsettling.
She tried to warn him, but he cut her off, his voice cold, accusing her of disrespecting a deity.
She sighed, withdrawing her concern.
What was so special about a god?
The man who cooked for her every day was also a deity!
She wondered if Qin Lingxiao, upon learning that Wei Jie was the ancient Flame Emperor, the former ruler of the underworld, would still be so reverent.
The three groups at the table were now clearly divided, Qin Lingxiao and his father aligning themselves with Ye Yi.
Madam Fu, her smile enigmatic, looked at them, her voice laced with meaning. “If we were elsewhere, I would offer incense and prayers to you deities. But this island is beyond the reach of gods and demons. If you desire something, you must wager something precious. May the best player win!”
“You know what we want?” Wei Jie asked, his voice low.
Madam Fu smiled, extending her hand. The Zhulong statue, identical to the one Cui Xiao Xiao had found two hundred years ago, materialized in her palm.
She seemed to possess the ability to see into their hearts, their deepest desires, revealing their target without them having to speak.
Sensing their hostile intent, their desire to seize the statue, she chuckled. “This island was created from the mythical Xirang soil used by Gun, the father of the legendary Yu the Great, to control the floods. It’s not ordinary earth. It cannot withstand divine power. If you use your powers, the island will sense it and sink… Young Master Qin’s outburst earlier already caused tremors, sinking a ship… Do you understand?”
Her message was clear. Whether they were gods or demons, they couldn’t resort to violence. Otherwise, she would sink the island.
They might be powerful, but they were still bound to mortal bodies. And this island, far from the mainland… even if they could fly on their swords, they wouldn’t reach the shore before collapsing from exhaustion, becoming food for the fish.
They were all intelligent individuals. They exchanged glances, but no one made a move.
Xiao Xiao, twirling a strand of her long hair, decided to probe Ye Yi. “You said this isn’t your establishment. Do you know who this Madam Fu is?”
Ye Yi, his smile enigmatic, his gaze fixed on her, said, “Like you, Cui Xiao Xiao, this is my first time on this island. If you’re curious, ask your disciple. This is his second visit.”
He was referring to Wei Jie. If Madam Fu possessed the Zhulong statue, then Wei Jie must have obtained it here in their past life.
And considering the time loop, this would indeed be his second visit. But he had no memories of his past life. Asking him would be pointless.
Although Ye Yi hadn’t answered her question directly, his gaze, when it fell upon Madam Fu, was filled with a barely concealed hostility…
It seemed he wasn’t completely ignorant about this island.
“You’re here for the Zhulong statue as well?” Xiao Xiao asked.
Ye Yi chuckled. “Isn’t it obvious, Cui Xiao Xiao? You had Prince Changshan report me to the authorities. My face is plastered all over wanted posters. I had to escape. But this statue… it’s quite exquisite, a worthy addition to my collection. I wouldn’t want to return empty-handed.”
His words, although veiled, were clear. He was after the statue.
The Dongyuan Emperor, obsessed with opening the gates of the underworld, now that the red moon was gone, would surely seek to manipulate time. He needed the statue.
Madam Fu, knowing the statue’s value, smiled. “There’s only one. It will belong to whoever has the skill and the resources to win it.”
She produced a set of dominoes.
Xiao Xiao turned to her companions. “Does anyone know how to play dominoes?”
Wei Jie, his voice low, said, “I don’t gamble…”
Yu Ling’er and the foxes stared at her, their eyes wide. “How do you play that? You must know, Xiao Xiao!”
Xiao Xiao chuckled awkwardly. She might have been a street hustler, but her expertise lay in swindling people, not gambling.
But… she looked at Ye Yi and Qin Lingxiao. A deity and a self-righteous young master… they wouldn’t know how to play dominoes either!
As expected, none of them did!
Madam Fu, unfazed, offered to explain the rules.
But Xiao Xiao, her eyes gleaming, whispered to Wei Jie, “If you were to gamble, what game would you choose?”
Knowing Wei Jie’s personality, both past and present, he wouldn’t have the patience to learn a new game.
He would simply change the rules, forcing everyone to play his way.
If she could figure out how he had won in their past life, they would have the advantage.
As expected, Wei Jie was already losing patience. He swept the dominoes off the table and picked up two dice. “There are countless ways to gamble,” he said, his voice cold. “Why complicate things? Let’s play a simple game of dice. High or low. It’ll save us all time.”
Madam Fu hesitated.
Xiao Xiao, deciding to support his suggestion, added, “Gambling should be fair. A game of dice… it’s straightforward, difficult to cheat. Do you have a transparent dice cup? So we can all see clearly.”
Madam Fu smiled. “We have everything you could possibly desire on this island. A transparent dice cup is a simple request. But are you sure this is the game you want to play? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’ve chosen the most difficult game of all.”
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