He Luo and Mo Duanhun both turned their gaze to Shi Yan, wondering what he intended to bet on.

Shi Yan blinked, his expression momentarily freezing.

He had only spoken offhandedly, having no real intention of placing a wager, but the moment the words left his mouth, he noticed He Qingman’s keen interest, prompting her immediate pursuit, which caught him rather off guard.

The smile on He Luo’s lips suddenly stiffened, and he said dryly, "Qingman, that awful habit of yours is acting up again."

Shi Yan was unaware that He Qingman, this captivating beauty, possessed a fondness for betting. Since childhood, she had pestered people into wagering over trivial matters. He Luo was quite troubled by this peculiar eccentricity of hers, unsure why the girl enjoyed gambling so much.

The instant Shi Yan mentioned betting, He Luo knew his daughter would inevitably press the issue and refuse to let the matter drop until a wager was settled.

He knew that He Qingman not only loved to bet but also had poor sportsmanship—delighted in victory, yet prone to furious embarrassment upon defeat. Hearing that Shi Yan wanted to gamble with her, He Luo inwardly groaned, certain things were about to go awry.

"Father, mind your own business!" He Qingman shot him a glare, then lifted her chin proudly. "Since I was small, I have rarely lost a bet I’ve made."

Indeed, you would hardly lose—everyone knew that if you did, you’d fly into a rage and later resort to all sorts of schemes to save face. Who would dare win against you?

He Luo grimaced, his expression growing increasingly strange. "Say it quickly, what are we betting on?" He Qingman became excited, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with an unusual light, staring intently at Shi Yan, truly resembling a seasoned gambler deeply immersed in the pursuit. Shi Yan was taken aback, his gaze oddly fixed on her. "How do you propose we bet?"

"Anything goes!" He Qingman snorted proudly. "I certainly won't lose!"

Damn it!

Shi Yan’s eyebrows shot up. Her attitude ignited a spark in him. He squinted sideways, assessing He Qingman from head to toe with a decidedly unfriendly look.

"You little brat! What are you looking at?"

He Qingman’s bright eyes flashed with menace. "Believe it or not, I'll pluck out those thieving eyes of yours!"

He Qingman possessed a cultivation at the First Heaven Realm, placing her among the absolute top tier of the younger generation in the Heavenly Evil Grotto. In the entire Galuo Sea region, few had reached such heights at so young an age. The Heavenly Evil Grotto had invested untold amounts of rare spiritual elixirs and exotic treasures into her, fostering such formidable strength.

Wager on what?

Shi Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, an idea forming in his mind, his smile turning gradually sinister as he challenged her, "Naturally, I’m looking at you. How about this: if you lose, you strip naked and let me look for one minute! Do you dare?"

"Bastard! What did you just say?"

He Qingman abruptly shot up from her seat, her face crimson with fury. "If you have the guts, say that again!"

He Luo froze, his expression darkening as he let out a low snort. "Young friend, making such propositions toward my daughter in front of me might be slightly inappropriate, wouldn't you say?"

"Just a joke," Shi Yan chuckled, shaking his head. "Then there’s nothing to bet on. Frankly, I don't lack for anything interesting, and I’m too lazy to gamble with you."

"You!"

He Qingman gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at Shi Yan, her delicate chest rising and falling unevenly, her eyes gleaming with cold malice.

He Luo snorted gently, advising, "Qingman, let it go. I think he was merely joking, nothing malicious about it."

"What do you have?"

He Qingman bit her lower lip, taking a forceful breath, and sneered, "You want to see my body? Do you have sufficient stakes? I’m not afraid to bet, as long as you have enough collateral, this young lady wouldn’t mind having a high-stakes match with you!"

"Are you serious?" Shi Yan looked genuinely astonished, forcing a wry smile. "I was really just kidding around a moment ago. You aren't actually going to gamble, are you?"

"Qingman!" He Luo sharply admonished. He Qingman held a special status in the Heavenly Evil Grotto and was destined to be an eminent figure there in the future.

He Luo knew how many promising young talents across the Galuo Sea region dreamt of He Qingman to the point of losing appetite and sleep. He might unhesitatingly send the Seven Golden Flowers to Shi Yan’s room to do as he pleased, but he cherished his precious daughter deeply, unwilling to see even the slightest harm come to her in any aspect. If He Qingman lost this wager, given Mo Duanhun’s standing in the Yang family, if things were pushed, he truly wouldn't dare renege. If He Qingman were actually seen naked by Shi Yan, the impact on her reputation would be enormous, possibly preventing her from finding a suitable match, and the Heavenly Evil Grotto might even hold him accountable. He couldn't bear that responsibility! Nor did he wish to risk his daughter's reputation on any object for a bet!

"Father, don't interfere!" He Qingman was adamant, lifting her chin with a cold expression. "I simply don't believe he can truly awaken Sister Xinyan! Sister Xinyan’s soul was gravely wounded by Demon Lord Mo Qidun. Her Samsara Martial Soul resisted one wave, but her soul became chaotic, mixing the memories of all her previous lives, plunging her into the deepest level of dormancy. I don't even know what method could possibly wake her up..."

He Qingman briefly explained the events in the valley on Cloud-Mist Island, causing He Luo to gasp repeatedly, his expression utterly aghast.

The descent of Demon Lord Mo Qidun's soul, the manifestation of Demon Emperor Bo Xun's bone-white Dharma body... the scene within the valley left He Luo stunned speechless. He could never have imagined that Xia Xinyan's injury was a soul wound, inflicted by Demon Lord Mo Qidun himself!

Before, when He Qingman carried Xia Xinyan, who was riding the Wind-Thunder Flying Lion, into the rear courtyard, He Luo had assumed Xia Xinyan only suffered physical injuries and hadn't taken it too seriously. He knew that once Xia Xinyan used her Samsara Martial Soul, borrowing the power of past lives, she would suffer physical exhaustion and might fall unconscious afterward.

That was what he had always assumed her condition was. Now, after He Qingman explained it, he realized Xia Xinyan’s injury was far more severe than he had anticipated!

As the Island Master of Fire Cloud Island with cultivation at the Nirvana Nest Realm, He Luo was knowledgeable about soul injuries. A master from the Xia family had once suffered a similar severe soul wound, where memories from past lives mixed together, and they never woke up again, becoming like living corpses.

He Luo knew that even the Xia family would likely be powerless in this situation.

A master from the Xia family had been in the exact same state as Xia Xinyan now. The Xia family had exhausted their entire clan’s strength to try and wake that person, even seeking help from the Heavenly Evil Grotto and the Yang family. The three great powers had consulted on the matter, seemingly discovering a method, which they even attempted. However, not only did it fail to awaken the person, but it caused their soul to shatter, leading to an earlier death.

From that time on, such cases were deemed unsolvable dilemmas—which was why Mo Duanhun had sighed in despair upon learning of Xia Xinyan’s condition.

If the combined efforts of the three great powers couldn't solve such a complex problem, by what right could this young man claim he could?

He Luo paused, then looking at Shi Yan again, he too felt Shi Yan was merely speaking casually, certainly incapable of awakening Xia Xinyan, which brought him a slight measure of relief.

Seeing her father fall silent, He Qingman knew he now realized Shi Yan surely couldn't win. Hmph, He Qingman looked scornfully at Shi Yan. "Do you know my worth? You want to see my body—do you have enough stakes for that?"

"Qingman!" He Luo coughed lightly, frowning. "Young friend was just speaking casually; don't take it too seriously."

Mo Duanhun held Shi Yan in such high regard; He Luo feared that if He Qingman pushed too hard, Mo Duanhun would be displeased. Furthermore, even knowing Shi Yan would certainly lose, He Luo still didn't wish to stake his daughter’s body on this matter. After all, if this spread, it wouldn't sound good and would still damage his daughter's reputation.

Seeing He Qingman acting so aggressively, Shi Yan, who was ready to drop the subject, frowned, his anger stirred by her persistence.

Taking a breath, Shi Yan remained silent, quietly unfastening the pack on his back. He took out seven lustrous, dazzling Demon Crystals, each a different color, all radiating brilliant light. Seven crystals, all sourced from Seventh-Tier Demonic Beasts. Seven Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals!

The moment the seven crystals appeared, the entire hall seemed to bloom with dazzling radiance, the shimmering crystal light so brilliant and enchanting that it illuminated the hall as if in a dream.

Mo Duanhun’s eyes lit up; he looked at Shi Yan with a hint of surprise.

"Demon Crystals!" He Luo exclaimed. "What tier are they?"

"Seventh-Tier! All of them are crystals from Seventh-Tier Demonic Beasts!" Shi Yan declared firmly.

He Qingman was also stunned, a flicker of extraordinary light crossing her beautiful eyes as she stared blankly at the seven Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals.

A Seventh-Tier Demonic Beast was comparable to a powerhouse at the Heaven-Rank Realm, and Demon Crystals were the very source of power within the beast. They had endless uses; not only could they serve as the main ingredient for elixirs, but they could also be used to refine divine weapons, and some martial artists practicing secret techniques could greatly boost their power if they obtained crystals of the corresponding attribute. Even in the Boundless Sea, Demon Crystals were exceedingly precious items! Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals were even rarer and more valuable! Not to mention, seven of them all at once?

"Seven Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals, two of which are Wind attribute, and one Water attribute," Mo Duanhun observed the crystals for a moment, then suddenly stated. He Luo and He Qingman stiffened, their faces filled with disbelief.

He Luo's Martial Soul was precisely Wind attribute, and He Qingman possessed both Wind and Water attributes. If these Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals fell into their hands, they could significantly enhance their Martial Souls! They might even allow their Martial Souls to evolve a step further!

He Luo felt his breathing quicken, his gaze growing increasingly fervent.

"Seven Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals. I offer them all as stakes," Shi Yan’s expression was calm as he gazed deeply at the alluring He Qingman, and stated clearly, "Is that enough?"

He Qingman's pretty face flushed red, her breathing rapid. Her bright eyes shimmered with astonishing light, and she lightly bit her lower lip, staring straight at Shi Yan.

He Luo wet his lips, wanting to urge He Qingman not to agree, but his eyes locked onto those two Wind-attribute Seventh-Tier Demon Crystals, making it impossible for him to utter any dissuasive words. Those two Wind crystals were too perfect for him; he couldn't tear his sight away from them.

"I'll bet with you!"

After several deep breaths, He Qingman suddenly gritted her teeth and cried out, her charming and delicate face set with determination.

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