Chapter 448: The Ten-Year Pact is About to Expire
In the year 7111 of the Lichuan Calendar, Yu Qingtan was 27 years old.
The eyes of the Southeastern Domain Cultivation World were all drawn to Mount Wendao.
For on the 19th of July this year, a battle for the ages was set to take place at the summit of Mount Wendao.
The contestants were none other than the Invincible Venerable Wu Di, proclaimed "Sweeping through the southeast undefeated, in the Lichuan outer realms I stand invincible," and Fairy Qingtan, known as "The peerless Qing Tan still seeks the Dao, how could others dare to talk of Immortal Ascension."
The Invincible Venerable was the heir to the title "Yao Guang Sword Venerable" from the Cangqiong Sword Sect Yao Guang Peak, a cultivator with a top-notch Thunder Spiritual Root, a comprehensor of the Sword Dao Physique, an Outer Sword Sword Cultivator, whose Lifebound Artifact was the Four Seasons Thunder Sword, and whose strength could truly be called invincible.
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Fairy Qingtan was the newly appointed Supreme Elder of the Wendao Sect Water Vein, the youngest Divine Transformation Venerable in the outer realms for ten thousand years, speculated to be a top-notch Five Elements Spirit Root cultivator, rumored to have the Soul Devouring Physique, with her Lifebound Artifact being the Five Elements Canglan Umbrella, and whose strength was unfathomable.
Ten years ago, the Invincible Venerable came to Wendao Sect to propose to Fairy Qingtan. Although Fairy Qingtan's heart was devoted to the Great Dao, she recognized the sincerity of the Invincible Venerable and gave him a chance, setting a ten-year agreement.
After ten years, the two would contest through their skills; if the Invincible Venerable was victorious, Fairy Qingtan would become his Dao companion. If Fairy Qingtan won, the matter would be dropped, and the engagement gifts initially offered as part of the proposal would be lost to Fairy Qingtan as part of the wager.
The initial engagement gifts included ten thousand top-notch Spirit Stones, the Medium Grade Dao Artifact Green Water Palace, and a fifth-stage Dark Origin Fruit.
This ten-year agreement was initially knowledge only to the high-ranking individuals of their respective sects. However, as the agreed-upon time approached, news was released by both sects and the date for the contest was set for the 19th of July, Fairy Qingtan's birthday.
Once the news spread, it caused a sensation throughout the entire Southeastern Domain Cultivation World. The Invincible Venerable had been the reigning champion of the Pride of the Heavens List in previous years, and Fairy Qingtan had dominated recent editions. Combined with the tale of a wager for marriage, it was difficult not to create a stir.
From sect disciples to Loose Cultivators of the jianghu, all were looking forward to the impending battle for the ages. Some wealthier cultivators had already begun heading toward Wendao Immortal City to witness this grand event up close.
The news had even spread to other regions such as the Eastern and Southern Regions, with some who knew a bit about the two parties spending a hefty sum to travel to the Southeastern Domain for a chance to witness the splendor of the two, as their levels of monstrous talent were ranked at the top even across the entire Outer Realm.
The Heavenly Secret Tower rolled out a broadcast service that would transmit the contest throughout the major Immortal Cities of the Southeastern Domain using formations.
Zhi Lan Pavilion took the opportunity to wildly promote items related to Fairy Qingtan, such as bras, stockings, dresses of the same style as worn by Fairy Qingtan, and some merchants were even secretly selling gossip books and even magazines about her.
Hundred Treasures Pavilion and Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion, among other powers, joined forces to set up a gambling front, naturally betting on whether the Invincible Venerable would win the beauty's hand or whether Fairy Qingtan would break his undefeated myth and write her own legend.
Near the Hundred Treasures Pavilion of Wendao Immortal City, the foot traffic had been unending for the past few months, with the majority there to place their bets.
"Brother Fan, who are you betting will win?" a white-robed Foundation Establishment Cultivator asked his friend.
"Haha, Brother Liu, of course, I'm betting on the Invincible Venerable," Brother Fan laughed as he clapped Brother Liu on the shoulder, his eyes sparkling with firm conviction, "Venerable Wu Di's name of invincibility has been fought for, and although Fairy Qingtan is also strong, she is ultimately quite a bit younger."
Upon hearing his words, Brother Liu shook his head slightly and sighed, "Brother Fan, Fairy Qingtan may be young, but her strength is equally enigmatic. What's more, Fairy Qingtan is the number one beauty of the Southeastern Domain, I support her unconditionally."
"Oh? Brother Liu, you're also a fan of the legendary Tan Fairy?" Brother Fan raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Indeed." Brother Liu nodded, his chin slightly lifted in pride as he declared, "In this magical contest, I believe Fairy Qing Tan will certainly win! Haven't you seen that the odds for Fairy Qing Tan have already dropped to just 1.2 to 1?"
"That's because this is Wendao Immortal City, where naturally there would be more supporters for Fairy Qing Tan," retorted Brother Fan.
"The Celestial Dome Sword Sect bets on Venerable Wu Di to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Just then, a crisp voice rang out, and the crowd turned to see a woman in robes adorned with the phoenix motif, her posture valiant and spirited—she was the Tianfeng Fairy of the Celestial Dome Sword Sect, the fifth Tianfeng.
"Tianfeng Fairy, I heard you and Fairy Qing Tan are good friends, why not bet on her to win?" Another pleasant female voice piped up, and the crowd saw a woman with the appearance of a blossoming peach in a pink dress—it was Huang Zhangfei, the Fairy Huang Zhangfei of the Great Mist Mountain Huang Family, followed by Huang Zhangguang, Huang Zhangjie, and others.
"Turns out it's Fairy Zhangfei. Although I am good friends with Fairy Qing Tan, I am representing my sect in this bet, and besides, I do hope that my brother Wu Di achieves his desire!" Tianfeng Fairy said with a smile.
"That makes sense, but my Huang Family supports Fairy Qing Tan, betting on her to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones." Fairy Zhangfei declared. When a force makes a bet, typically they would send a representative, and there is an unspoken rule not to bet too much; 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones was the limit, and of course, the Wendao Sect had already made their bet on Fairy Qing Tan to win.
"The Star Moon Sect supports Venerable Wu Di, betting on his victory, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Fairy Chunzhen came forward to place her bet, surrounded by a group of male disciples from the Star Moon Sect.
"The All-World Academy Southeast Branch bets on Fairy Qing Tan to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Shi Kuang, Zhou Lan, Jing Hao, Zhong Yao, Fu Nian, and others made their way over, with Shi Kuang announcing loudly.
"The Extreme Dao Sect bets on Venerable Wu Di to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!"
"The Red Dust Sect bets on Venerable Wu Di to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!"
The crowd turned to look, it was the Jinxiu Heavenly Saber Li Qingxuan of the Extreme Path Demon Sect and the Ye Yue Princess of the Red Dust Demon Sect who caught the attention of many. However, given that the grand event of Wendao Immortal City was imminent, unless the Demon Sect's members came to cause trouble, the crowd refrained from provoking them.
"The Blood God Cult bets on Fairy Qing Tan to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Another melodious voice was heard, causing the onlookers to involuntarily shiver—it was the true lord of the Blood God Cult, Zhen Dexiu.
"The Sect of Commoners bets on Fairy Qing Tan to win, 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Shen Wanning placed the bet for the Sect of Commoners, although her identity here was Shen Wan, a commander from the Sect.
Some individuals, such as Li Qingxuan from the Extreme Path Demon Sect, had their eyes on Shen Wanning. They suspected that Shen Wan was Shen Wanning, that the Sect of Commoners' Qing Holy Maiden was Fairy Qing Tan, but they lacked definitive evidence. When they sought the Heavenly Secret Tower for divination, the diviner was directly backlashed.
"The Eastern Region Qian Family bets on Venerable Wu Di to win, 30,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Miss Qian Yongwei from the Eastern Region Qian Family also came to Wendao Immortal City to join in the excitement.
"Miss Qian, the default upper limit for a force's bet is 10,000 top-grade Spirit Stones!" Tianfeng Fairy from the Celestial Dome Sword Sect frowned and said.
"Hmph, our Eastern Region's upper limit is 30,000, why, don't you dare to accept?" Qian Yongwei snorted coldly.
"We accept, Miss Qian. Since you have such an interest, our Hundred Treasures Pavilion will naturally accommodate!" The grand manager of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, personally presiding over the event, said with a smile.