The disciples below the stage, upon hearing the announcement that the gambling match had begun, all became as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood. They all jumped up, shouting loudly in cheers. Zhang Xiaohua, who was seated at the front, was startled straightaway and instantly submerged in the sea of cheers. Looking around at the surrounding disciples with a rather “terrified” expression, Zhang Xiaohua let out a silent sigh: “Ai, people without pursuits are truly pitiful.”

“It’s just a simple gambling match, yet they’re this happy. If there were even a cheering squad…”

Before his thought could fully form, he saw from the shadows nearby a dozen or so disciples in tight outfits suddenly dart out with “swish swish swish.” Some were empty-handed, some held swords, some held sabers, and a few even carried eyebrow-length wooden staffs. When they reached different positions in the open ground, they cupped their fists toward the surroundings, just like street performers in the jianghu, and began to display flashy but impractical routines.

In an instant, Zhang Xiaohua’s train of thought froze, and his mouth nearly fell open.

This gambling match was a bit too showy!

However, upon seeing those performing disciples, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly thought of the street performer he had once rescued in Lu Town, named Qu Zhigao. That man seemed to understand some pill refining and had even given him a worn-out pill formula, which seemed to be recorded on silk. What was it called again? At the time, he had only just come into contact with the art of pill refining and didn’t understand its meaning, and had long since forgotten the name of the pill. He had merely tossed it into his clothes casually. Later, after obtaining the money pouch, he threw it into his spatial storage and never paid it any more attention. Now that his pill refining could be considered to have reached small success, when he had time in the future, he really should take it out and have a look—perhaps there might be some unexpected surprise.

Right, this Qu Zhigao seemed to live at Qulong Mountain. He had never heard of this place before. Back when he was in Spring Rebirth Valley, he had also forgotten to ask Nie Qianyu about it. Otherwise, if he had the time, he could go pay a visit—maybe there would be some kind of fortuitous encounter.

As he thought of this, Zhang Xiaohua’s hand unconsciously touched the money pouch at his chest.

Before long, those who were performing bowed and withdrew, and the crowd below burst into loud cheers again. This cheering, however, once more drew Zhang Xiaohua’s disdain: “Ai, usually they don’t read more books about medicinal herbs to improve their cultivation and refinement. Instead, they waste their youth here for nothing—only to end in empty sorrow.”

At this moment, Wu Zhouxu raised both hands to press the air down and said in a clear voice: “Alright, the long-awaited gambling match between the Pill Division and the Herb Division of Tianmu Peak officially begins now. Everyone, presumably most of you already heard the news this morning—oh, perhaps many senior and junior brothers even got the news last night. This time’s gambling match is different from usual. Why do I say that? Specifically, there are two differences. First, the brothers of the Herb Division have gained fresh blood. Just yesterday—hm, to be precise, just last night—the Herb Division gained another fierce general. He is Ren Xiaoyao. Come, Junior Brother Ren, please stand up and let the disciples admire your bearing.”

After saying this, he gestured toward Zhang Xiaohua’s direction. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua felt extremely helpless: “This young master wants to keep a low profile, yet with your introduction, how am I supposed to keep my head down? And ‘admire’—why does that word sound so awkward?”

Zhang Xiaohua stood up, cupped his fists, and bowed in all directions to the surrounding disciples. Immediately, the Herb Division erupted in cheers, while the Pill Division responded with a chorus of boos.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua sit down, Wu Zhouxu continued: “Yesterday, as soon as Junior Brother Ren arrived, he had a solid bout with our Pill Division’s Cheng Shi. Of course, we’re all hot-blooded men here—what we value is ‘no acquaintance without a fight’. Last night, although Cheng Shi suffered a slight loss at Junior Brother Ren’s hands, he has already spoken with me privately. He said Junior Brother Ren is upright, a good brother, a real man!”

At the side, Cheng Shi wore an expression as if his teeth ached, muttering inwardly: “This Wu Dalang really knows how to spin things. When did I ever confide in him? When did I ever have such noble sentiments?”

“Good~~” Both the Herb Division and the Pill Division disciples cheered, though it was unclear what exactly the Pill Division was cheering for—were they applauding Zhang Xiaohua for beating Cheng Shi?

Wu Zhouxu clearly enjoyed this atmosphere. Straightening his five-foot frame, he stepped forward half a pace and said: “Yesterday, Junior Brother Ren said that whoever makes him ‘eat vegetables’, he’ll make them ‘eat vegetables’, and whoever takes his gold, he’ll make them return his gold. I very much agree with this—wholeheartedly agree. Since Cheng Shi offended Junior Brother Ren yesterday, then there’s nothing more to say—bring it over…”

As he spoke, he beckoned toward the Pill Division disciples. One disciple stepped forward holding a tray, on which several jade bottles were placed, and presented it before Wu Zhouxu.

Wu Zhouxu took it and showed it to everyone, saying: “Here we have one bottle each of Blood-Replenishing Pills, Blood-Coagulating Pills, Small Bone-Strengthening Pills, and Small Bone-Consolidating Pills.”

“Small Bone-Consolidating Pill?” Zhang Xiaohua was startled and thought: “This name sounds very familiar, as if I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

Thinking more carefully, wasn’t this precisely the pill formula Qu Zhigao had given him earlier? Just now, he had been wondering what pill it was, and now he heard it—it really was quite a coincidence. However, this was the Small Bone-Consolidating Pill; according to the conventions of pill refining, it should be an imitation of the Bone-Consolidating Pill.

Just as Zhang Xiaohua was frowning, Chen Fengxiao beside him asked: “Wu Dalang, I have something to say, though I’m not sure whether I should.”

Wu Zhouxu seemed to have anticipated this and smiled: “Is Chief Chen thinking that the value of these four bottles of pills is insufficient?”

Chen Fengxiao nodded: “Exactly. Yesterday, our Herb Division’s Junior Brother Ren asked for fifty taels of gold!”

“Wah~~~” The crowd below burst into an uproar once again. Although the amount of gold had already been mentioned yesterday, no one had really believed it—some said it was only five taels, others said fifty taels of silver. In short, everyone thought the fifty taels of gold were just a rumor passed around. Now that Chief Chen and Wu Dalang were speaking of it face to face, it was clearly true, and they couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

Wu Zhouxu was not surprised. Holding up the tray with his left hand, he said to the crowd: “Junior brothers, take a look at this tray of mine. There are five bottles on it, which means there is still one more bottle of pills…”

“Eh? What kind of pill is that, to be comparable to dozens of taels of gold?”

“Exactly. Even if those four bottles were priced, ten taels of gold would already be the limit.”

“Can’t figure it out, can’t figure it out. Since when could our Pill Division refine such a valuable pill?”

Chen Fengxiao also frowned. He was only knowledgeable about medicinal herbs; he merely had a general understanding of pills, and truly could not guess what Wu Dalang had up his sleeve. He could only smile and say: “Dalang, don’t keep us in suspense. Let me also see this pill that’s worth dozens of taels of gold.”

Wu Zhouxu smiled proudly: “In this last bottle is the famous ‘Jade Restoration Pill’ of our Incense Spreading Sect!”

With several “pfft” sounds, before Chen Fengxiao could even speak, a few of the enshrined elders seated behind the table spat out the tea in their mouths. Coughing, they stood up in shock and said: “Dalang, where did you get a Jade Restoration Pill?”

Another even pointed at Wu Zhouxu and scolded: “You prodigal Dalang! The Jade Restoration Pill is a sacred medicine for healing used by inner sect disciples. How could it be exchanged for mere gold? How could you wager it away to others?”

Chen Fengxiao also revealed a strange expression, and a rare glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

Seeing everyone react like this, Wu Zhouxu grew even more smug and said loudly: “Esteemed enshrined elders, fellow brothers, don’t be anxious. Let me finish speaking. If it were a genuine Jade Restoration Pill, even for a hundred taels of gold, I wouldn’t be willing to take it out. Although this pill is called a ‘Jade Restoration Pill’, it is actually a failed product refined by an inner sect alchemy elder.”

“Oh~ so that’s how it is.” Only then did the enshrined elders sit back down, all inwardly complaining: “This fellow is really crafty. You should’ve said earlier that it was a failed pill. Now the tea has soaked our clothes—how unbecoming.”

Chen Fengxiao, however, narrowed his eyes and quietly listened as Wu Zhouxu continued: “Although this pill is a failed product, it was still refined by a true inner sect elder. The medicinal ingredients used were all of full age and proper maturity. It still has sufficient effectiveness for healing. Even the herbs used in it alone are worth dozens of taels of gold, aren’t they?”

Then, turning to Chen Fengxiao, he said: “Chief Chen, do you think these five bottles of pills are worth fifty taels of gold?”

Chen Fengxiao nodded and said: “With Dalang explaining it this way, and even the five enshrined elders agreeing, I naturally have no objections.”

Wu Zhouxu laughed: “Good, then. Come, Junior Brother Ren, please come up and take these pills away, lest people say the Pill Division disciples do not keep their word.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at Chen Fengxiao, who nodded.

Zhang Xiaohua walked up onto the stage, took all five bottles of pills, tucked them into his clothes, and cupped his fists, saying: “Dalang is indeed a man of his word. The brothers of the Pill Division are true comrades. As for yesterday’s matter, let it end here.”

“Wait!” Wu Zhouxu hurriedly stopped him: “Junior Brother Ren, this has only just begun. To say it’s over now is far too early.”

Chen Fengxiao smiled and said: “Junior Brother Ren, go down first. When it’s your turn to go up later, you’ll understand.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled, thinking to himself: “Even at this point, this fellow is still setting a trap for Wu Dalang.”

He nodded and walked back down.

In the short distance from the stage to the ground, Zhang Xiaohua felt countless gazes like sharp swords, all piercing toward the jade bottles in his chest. Well, of course—this was the “Jade Restoration Pill”. Even if it was a failed product, it was still a treasure.

After Zhang Xiaohua stepped down, Wu Zhouxu continued: “What I just spoke of was the first difference. Next, I will speak of the second difference. That is—this time, for the gambling match, the stakes for participants from both the Herb Division and the Pill Division will be set at fifty taels of gold as the standard—only more is allowed, not less!”

“Wah~” Once again, the entire field erupted with cheers and exclamations.

The gambling matches between the Pill Division and the Herb Division of Tianmu Peak had a long history. Usually, the stakes were merely a few pills, or sometimes even just some medicinal herbs, purely for entertainment. Now, hearing Wu Zhouxu’s words, how could they not be excited? It was as if each person could already see fifty taels of glittering gold before their eyes.

Chen Fengxiao and Qiu Weicheng stood beside Wu Zhouxu with unchanged expressions—it was likely they had already discussed this yesterday. Meanwhile, the five enshrined elders nearby all frowned deeply, exchanging glances, unsure whether they should speak up.

At this moment, the five-foot-tall Wu Zhouxu coughed a couple of times, cleared his throat, and said: “Alright, that’s all for the two changes. Next, I will speak about the four major rules of discipline and the nine points of attention…”

Chen Fengxiao wore a bitter smile…