A wager?
Yu Shenzi's face contorted with distress.
He knew his own limitations. Given the vast disparity in their power, no matter what the wager, his chances of winning were slim.
But he had no other choice.
"Sage Ruler, may I ask, what wager do you have in mind?"
"Hahaha," Sage Ruler Miaoyin chuckled. "I've composed a new melody today, called Minor Paradise. I wager that you won't be able to listen to the entire piece."
Yu Shenzi's face flushed crimson with shame. He knew he might not be able to withstand a profound melody from a Great Vehicle realm expert.
Admitting defeat?
Submitting?
Acknowledging his inferiority?
Yu Shenzi wouldn't mind any of those!
But this was a wager, and the stake was the continued existence of the Azure Cloud Sect.
He couldn't afford to lose.
How could he, Yu Shenzi, be responsible for destroying a thousand years of legacy, the culmination of generations of medical cultivators' efforts?
"Ding!"
As Yu Shenzi wrestled with his agonizing dilemma, Fan Li received a system notification.
"Environmental scan: The Azure Cloud Sect is in danger of being destroyed!"
"Random mission triggered: Turn the Tide."
"Mission objective: The host must replace Yu Shenzi in the wager against Sage Ruler Miaoyin and achieve victory."
"Mission reward: Significant increase in the favorability of all Azure Cloud Sect members. Upon submission, they will pledge their eternal loyalty to the host."
"Mission failure penalty: Sage Ruler Miaoyin changes her mind and accepts all members of the Azure Cloud Sect. Yu Shenzi leads the Azure Cloud Sect in pledging allegiance to the Brahma Sound Pure Land."
Damn it!
Fan Li was frustrated.
The stakes of this mission, both reward and penalty, were incredibly high. He had just experienced Lu Bu's betrayal, which resulted in Yan Yuan's death - a heavy loss.
Over six hundred members of the Azure Cloud Sect joining the Brahma Sound Pure Land?
Strengthening his enemies while weakening himself?
That was an outcome he couldn't accept.
"But…"
Fan Li looked up, gazing at the zither in Sage Ruler Miaoyin's hands, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"System, I can accept this wager, but Sage Ruler Miaoyin's sonic attack can even injure Yu Shenzi. I would be instantly killed!"
Perhaps triggered by the mission, the system was incredibly cooperative this time.
"Special environment confirmed."
"The host is facing a challenge that far exceeds his current capabilities. The system will provide additional support."
"Secret technique granted: Immovable Wisdom King."
"Immovable Wisdom King: Immunity to all negative karma and suffering. Detached from sorrow, joy, hatred, and fear. Unwavering mind, unshakeable as a mountain."
"Duration: Twelve hours."
Fan Li's eyes lit up.
The system's support this time was incredible!
In the language of the games he played in his previous life, this was equivalent to maxing out his magic resistance. With the Immovable Wisdom King protecting him, Sage Ruler Miaoyin could play Minor Paradise ten times over, and he wouldn't be fazed.
But… how trustworthy was this woman?
He didn't want to assume the worst of everyone, but Sage Ruler Miaoyin was from the Brahma Sound Pure Land, a member of the same group as Sage Ruler Yao Guang and Sage Ruler Jin De. If it were Sage Ruler Qing Qiu, or even Sage Ruler Han Yue, he might have believed them.
But Sage Ruler Miaoyin… she didn't inspire much trust.
"Yu Shenzi, how long are you going to make me wait?" her voice rang out, laced with impatience.
"Are you accepting the wager, or not?"
Her right hand rested lightly on the zither strings, as if she were about to play at any moment – a clear threat.
"I…"
Yu Shenzi gritted his teeth, ready to take his chances.
Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Sect Leader," Fan Li said with a smile, winking conspiratorially. "I have some understanding of the art of music. Why not let me take your place in the wager? What if I win?"
"What? You?!"
Yu Shenzi stared at Fan Li, incredulous. He was dressed in the robes of an Azure Cloud Sect disciple.
Fan Li's Daoist robes were topped with a cap, which he had pulled low to conceal his face, further obscuring his features with soot from a nearby incense burner.
"You have no chance of winning. Trust me this once," he whispered.
"But…"
Yu Shenzi gazed into Fan Li's eyes and sensed an unwavering determination, as if he were an immovable deity.
He felt a strange sense of trust towards this young man.
"Alright, alright," he agreed, as if possessed.
"Yu Shenzi, what are you doing?"
Sage Ruler Miaoyin, seeing a soot-covered young man step forward to replace Yu Shenzi in the wager, was furious.
What was this behavior?
Sending out a young disciple? Were they mocking her?
"Sage Ruler," Fan Li bowed respectfully before she could erupt in anger. "Our Sect Leader only cultivates the medical arts. For you to challenge him with music is unfair and would not convince our sect members."
"I happen to have some knowledge of music and have been entrusted by the Sect Leader to take his place in this wager. If you win, we will submit to your judgment. But if I, by some stroke of luck, emerge victorious, all I ask is that you spare the Azure Cloud Sect."
His words were impeccable, his posture humble and respectful, leaving Sage Ruler Miaoyin with no grounds for objection.
"You?"
She scrutinized Fan Li, assuming he was a mere outer disciple, responsible for menial tasks like tending the fires and cooking.
Some knowledge of music?
Could this boy be hiding something? Perhaps he possesses a powerful treasure, or he cultivates both medicine and music, and is confident in his ability to withstand Minor Paradise?'
Sage Ruler Miaoyin was experienced and knowledgeable.
With a bit of deduction, she "saw through" Fan Li's scheme, feeling even more disdainful.
'Strength can overcome any trickery. I'm at the fifth rank of the Great Vehicle realm. Even with a Heavenly-grade treasure, you wouldn't be able to withstand an entire performance of Minor Paradise! But, to be safe, it's best for Yu Shenzi to participate in this wager.' She chuckled inwardly.
They wanted to catch her off guard?
She wouldn't let them succeed!
"Sage Ruler Miaoyin!" Fan Li suddenly exclaimed.
"My wager with you isn't about listening to Minor Paradise. I dare to… challenge you to a duet! However, my cultivation is insignificant compared to yours. I cannot compete with you in terms of spiritual energy or cultivation level. I propose a contest of musical skill alone. Sage Ruler, do you dare accept my challenge?"
Silence descended upon the gathering.
Everyone stared at Fan Li with astonishment.
Even Sage Ruler Miaoyin was taken aback.
"Ha… hahahahaha!" She burst into laughter. "What a bold and ignorant boy! A mere Foundation Building cultivator, truly fearless like a newborn calf! Someone daring to challenge me in music?"
Her laughter subsided. She glared at Fan Li, her gaze sharp as a blade.
He had challenged her. Sage Ruler Miaoyin, who considered herself the greatest musician in the world, couldn't refuse. To do so would make her a laughingstock.
This was a blatant provocation, but she had no choice but to accept.
"Very well! I accept your challenge. I just hope you'll still be alive after I finish playing Minor Paradise! Boy, what instrument do you play? A qin, a se, or a pipa?"
Fan Li shook his head.
"The instrument I play, Sage Ruler, is one you've likely never seen before. My grandfather, who lived a simple life in the countryside, was a skilled musician, renowned in the surrounding villages for his mastery of various instruments. His musical talent was exceptional. I, unfortunately, only learned a fraction of his skills."
He retrieved an instrument from his storage box. Sage Ruler Miaoyin, as expected, didn't recognize it.
"This is called an erhu," Fan Li explained with a smile. "There's a saying in my hometown: 'There's no one an erhu can't move…"