Supreme Sword Exalt

Both father and son assessed the situation well. Not only was the Wu family’s old ancestor on the verge of death, but Gu Han had also caused the Fu and Fang families to fall out with each other. They could gain protection by siding with the Fang family.

The master of the Liu Yun Ancient Sect burst out laughing. “I didn’t expect you to be so responsible, Brother Wu! I agree with you. How could we people of the Central Continent tolerate provocation from a kid of the Eastern Wasteland?

“Although our sect’s foundation is still weak, we will wager one half-saint herb and eighty drops of Transcendent Substance to gamble with you, Senior Fu. Please don’t take offense!”

The Li family’s old ancestor also joined in. “Senior Fu, since this is a gamble, anyone can participate. Our family feels the same. One half-saint herb and eighty drops of Transcendent Substance, all for the reputation of the Central Continent.”

Aside from the branch president of the Tian Yun Merchant Association, all the other Saints participated in the gamble. They all sided with the Fang family.

“How dare you bully the people of the Central Continent! I am also willing to gamble with Senior Fu.”

“Me too. I am willing to bet fifty drops of Transcendent Substance.”

On top of finding Gu Han displeasing to the eye, they also wanted to take advantage of a big bargain. Besides, anyone could see that Gu Han was only at the Earthly Tribulation realm. Although a Heavenly Pride’s strength couldn’t be measured purely by realm, the Sword Prince was also a Heavenly Pride, and his cultivation realm was higher than his opponent's. His victory was practically guaranteed.

These people almost represented all the major powers in this region. With so many bets placed, even a family as well-established as the Fu family couldn’t withstand it.

Fang Xing was in a great mood. “Gentlemen, I appreciate your goodwill, but Fellow Daoist Fu doesn’t seem able to go against so many bets. It’s better to forget it, so he doesn’t lose face!”

Gu Han and Fatty exchanged a glance. Their eyes turned red—not from anger, but from heartache. If they won all these things, they would truly have struck it rich!

Just then, the branch president of the Tian Yun Merchant Association laughed. “Senior Fu, just say the word, and the Tian Yun Merchant Association will help you with all we've got. I have always admired your character. Forget about the interest. When the time comes, you only have to repay us the principal!”

After speaking, he sized up Gu Han a few more times.

Gu Han felt a bit curious. “Who is he?”

The branch president was the only Saint willing to stand on the Fu family’s side. Moreover, he seemed to be extending goodwill toward the Fu family.

Fatty turned serious. “That man is extraordinary.”

The Tian Yun Merchant Association’s influence extended throughout nearly the entire Central Continent, reaching even the inner layer. After all, it had an impeccable reputation, formidable backing, and a vast commercial reach.

Furthermore, this merchant association was only the tip of its power. It also secretly controlled underground black markets everywhere, from intelligence, assassination, bounties... They truly did everything.

Gu Han’s heart stirred. “Black market?”

Could the black market in the Northern Domain also be part of the merchant association?

If that were truly the case, then its power would be unimaginably vast. For no reason, he thought of the Ferryman of the Yellow Springs.

The branch president’s offer didn't surprise anyone. After all, businessmen naturally had no stance. They provided services to whoever sought them.

Fu Dahai refused, “No. I can accept such small bets. If you truly want to help, why not act as a guarantor so these people don’t welch on their debts? It would be too troublesome for me to collect my winnings from each family one by one.”

The branch president smiled. “That won’t be hard. Everyone should know of our reputation. If you think we lack sufficient weight, there is still a distinguished guest at our branch. I’m sure he would be very willing to act as guarantor.”

No one had any objections. Both sides shared the same fear: that the other party would go back on what they owed.

Fang Xing laughed coldly. “Accept? What are you matching our bets with? Empty words?”

Fu Dahai remained impassive. “The Life-Extending Fruit, which I'll get in over a decade from now. I’ll put that on stake. Is that enough?”

Fatty’s expression changed slightly. “Old Ancestor, are you serious?!”

Fu Dahai laughed coldly. “In the many years I've lived, I have never allowed anyone to piss on my head. They think they can make me bow my head using these little brats? Dream on! If we’re going to play, let’s play big. Go all out!”

He then glanced at Gu Han.

“Brat, make a big scene today! If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!”

Fatty was taken aback. “Old Ancestor, what if you can’t take responsibility?”

He felt that after going to the Northern Domain and fighting a great battle with the barbarians, Fu Dahai had become a bit arrogant.

Fu Dahai sneered. “Can’t take responsibility? Then I’ll find my fellow Daoists Yan and Luoheng and have them take responsibility with me!”

Not only had he become arrogant, but he had also become conceited. With three Feather Transformation realm cultivators joining forces, he would fight even an Ascension realm cultivator from the Central Dao Palace head-on. No matter how powerful those Ascension realm cultivators were, could they be more powerful than Yun Ao?

Everyone’s hearts leaped. The fruit itself came from the Central Dao Palace, and each one extended life by a hundred years. To old monsters at the end of their lifespans, such a treasure was worth sacrificing their entire fortunes for.

The branch president sighed. “Senior, you are unbelievably courageous!”

Fang Xing was somewhat displeased. “Do you think the Life-Extending Fruit is easy to obtain? What if you can’t get it?”

Fatty was unusually serious. “I will get it. Even if it costs me my life, I will help the old ancestor get the Life-Extending Fruit.”

Fang Xing was well aware of Fatty’s nine rings from the Dao Bell. If Fatty went to the Central Dao Palace, he’d likely succeed in taking the priceless fruit.

Fatty’s eyes turned red again. “Anyone else?! If you want to raise the stakes, hurry!”

He seemed to feel that using one Life-Extending Fruit as a bet was too much of a loss.

A Transcendent realm cultivator exclaimed, “Me! I’ll put forward thirty million spirit source—”

Fatty was full of disdain. “Get lost! Spirit source? Who are you trying to insult? Are you looking down on the Eastern Wasteland’s number one Heavenly Pride?”

Gu Han glanced faintly at him. “Indeed. Transcendent Substance is the starting bet. Half-saint herbs are fine, and saint herbs are even better. You are all noble people of the Central Continent. Don’t let me, a person from the Eastern Wasteland, look down on you.”

The Transcendent realm cultivator immediately changed his offer. “I’ll bet ten drops of Transcendent Substance!”

Provoked by Gu Han, the others reluctantly scraped together several dozen drops of Transcendent Substance.

“I’ll bet five drops!”

“Seven drops!”

“Good! Since you're all so interested, I will personally put fifty drops of Transcendent Substance on...” As the branch president recorded everything one by one, his gaze shifted to Gu Han. “... you winning!”

Apart from Fu Dahai, he was the first person from the Central Continent to favor Gu Han.

Sword Prince was somewhat dissatisfied. “Senior, you are also from the Central Continent. That seems—”

The branch president smiled. “I am a businessman. Don’t use your principles to pressure me. Besides, this is personal. It has nothing to do with the Tian Yun Merchant Association. If I lose, I will hand over the valuables myself.”

Fatty was even more dissatisfied. He felt that the branch president had simply come to take advantage of a bargain.

Fang Xing was emotionless. “Fine. You are free to bet on whoever you want. But since the Tian Yun Merchant Association is acting as guarantor, why not open up a Tian Yun Arena? What do you say?”

He then stared at Gu Han gloomily. “The Fang family’s son shall sever the Heavenly Pride in front of the Central Continent's people!”

The branch president nodded. “Good! I was just thinking the same!”