Published: September 8, 2025
Chapter 765: The Border Battle (Part 2)
“It seems that talking further is pointless. You have no room for negotiation. Then it can only be a life-or-death battle. But before that, let’s have a gambling battle first. Both sides will send people to set up restraining formations! No matter the outcome of the gambling battle, once it ends, we immediately fight to the death,” the Gaunt Old Man said decisively and straightforwardly.
He probably knew that at this point, trying to persuade the three great cultivators to back down was just wishful thinking.
“A gambling battle is fine, but what about the prisoners you promised? If we don’t see them, hehe...” the Heartsong Old Demon sneered coldly while staring at the Gaunt Old Man.
The Old Man was momentarily stunned by these words but then moved his lips slightly to send a few words back.
Immediately, the spellmasters behind them stirred.
Over a thousand cultivators, bare-handed and wearing nothing but their clothes, were pushed out from the ranks.
As these cultivators reached the front of the formation, their expressions varied—some blushed angrily, others glared fiercely at the spellmasters.
On the opposing side, a slight commotion stirred among the cultivator army.
Many of the captured cultivators were recognized by their fellow disciples.
Master Zhiyang and the others exchanged glances before nodding subtly, their expressions easing slightly.
“Well? You’ve seen the people. Now you should feel reassured. Let’s start the gambling battle quickly!” The short man surnamed Bi from among the Mulan divine masters grew impatient.
“Why are you so anxious? Could it be that you plan to cheat during this gambling battle?” Wei Wuya unexpectedly asked.
“If you don’t dare to gamble, then we’ll use these cultivators as sacrificial flags first. Then we’ll fight. What do you three say?” The short man’s expression changed as he threatened.
“You’re blackmailing us!” Wei Wuya’s eyes flashed coldly as he said sternly.
“It’s not really blackmail. But if you don’t want to participate in the gambling battle, keeping these prisoners is useless. Using them as sacrificial flags to boost morale isn’t impossible,” the Gaunt Old Man said calmly, though his voice grew darker.
“If you want us to gamble, fine. But release these prisoners first, and then we’ll agree to the gambling battle,” Master Zhiyang said slowly after twitching his eyebrows slightly.
“Release them? Do you think we’d be foolish enough to do that?” The short man was blunt.
“But we don’t trust you! What if after the gambling battle, you don’t keep your word?” Wei Wuya said nonchalantly.
“Even so, we...”
“Enough. Stop wasting time. Before the gambling battle, we can release half of the prisoners. The rest will depend on your performance. That’s not an issue, right? If not, feel free to leave. We’ll start fighting immediately,” the Old Man interrupted, his eyes flashing fiercely before speaking first.
“Fine, let’s do it! You release people on your side, and we’ll start setting up the restraining formations on ours,” Master Zhiyang and the other two spoke after exchanging a few words, decisively agreeing.
This was the most they could concede. If they failed to reach an agreement, they wouldn’t be able to explain to the cultivators behind them.
With the terms settled, the six each returned to their camps and began making arrangements.
Han Li had already left his original position and hidden in a group of cultivators. Before the gambling battle began, he didn’t want to be noticed by the high-level spellmasters on the opposing side.
With Han Li’s powerful spiritual awareness, he naturally heard every word of the conversation between Master Zhiyang and the three Mulan divine masters clearly.
After a faint smile appeared at the corner of Han Li’s mouth, some of the cultivators pushed out were relieved when the spellmasters removed the restraining formations on them and quickly flew toward the other side.