Chapter 336
by post_apiChapter 336: The Con Artist Strikes Again
Everyone present was a top figure. They all understood that this was not merely a simple betting match, it was a display meant to flaunt strength and wealth before Tiger Howl Wind, while simultaneously establishing overwhelming pressure on the others.
What appeared to be a simple wager carried countless implications.
Lu Hengkong, Son of the Sunlit Sacred Land, smiled and said, “Interesting. I fully support the guild leader’s proposal.”
Marquis Xia Houzun of the Crimson Flame Dynasty spoke lightly, “Whatever it is, I will see it through.”
His aura was just as imposing.
Tong Lieyang raised his head, looking down on everyone with a sneer, as though victory was already secured.
The moon-returning dragon hesitated.
“Pfft~~”
Jin Liuli scoffed disdainfully. “Moon-returning dragon, you’re a prince of a great dynasty. Even if your nation stands on the brink of ruin, you should at least have the courage to present a single holy treasure. With such weak resolve and shallow pockets, you still hope to attract talents to your cause? Laughable. Just leave. I pity you enough not to target you here at Falling Star Mountain Range. Your presence or absence makes no difference to us in destroying the Cold Moon Dynasty.”
Her words were venomous and full of mockery.
The moon-returning dragon wasn’t concerned about the treasure itself; he knew that Tiger Howl Wind had already chosen his side. Still, being mocked like this, he replied coldly, “Jin Liuli, could you at least retain some dignity as a princess? Don’t look down on others so easily. I’m considering which holy treasure to present, just to show that the Taixu Dynasty isn’t as unrivaled as you imagine.”
“Haha, fine! Let’s see what treasure you can bring out.” Jin Liuli maintained her contempt as her gaze shifted to Zhang Yang. “And this one, I’ve heard he’s a son from the Southern Region? What’s wrong? Not brave enough to accept the challenge?”
Son?
The moon-returning dragon and Tiger Howl Wind both sighed. It was instinctual for outsiders to assume such things.
Even they found it difficult to believe that Zhang Yang was the Lord of the Sacred Forest, the new foundation builder of the Sanctioned Sacred Land, who had shattered the long-standing balance in the Southern Region after thousands of years. He was far more extraordinary than any previous Lord of the Sacred Forest.
Naturally, Zhang Yang didn’t bother to explain. He feared it might alarm them too much.
“What’s the matter? Can’t even present a holy treasure?” Jin Liuli taunted. “Still hesitating, thinking of bringing out something so grand it would overshadow all our treasures?”
Her words triggered a ripple of laughter.
Even the young prince Tong Lieyang sneered, “Poor soul, don’t embarrass yourself here. Without a holy treasure, how dare you show up to a high-level gathering in the Western Desert?”
Marquis Xia Houzun remained composed and didn’t speak.
Lu Hengkong, the Son, wore a playful smile.
Zhang Yang paused and muttered, “Well…”
He hesitated.
The moon-returning dragon was left speechless by this act. What was that supposed to mean?
Demon Sword Yi saw through it this time and silently scorned him: Con Artist!
People outside the Southern Region didn’t know that this so-called Battle God was also infamous as the Con Artist.
“Hahaha, truly a poor man!” Tong Lieyang laughed heartily.
Many from the Western Desert joined in the scoffing.
Members of the Hunters’ Guild and the Sunlit Sacred Land whispered among themselves, but they made no effort to keep their voices down.
“Where did this ‘Son’ come from?”
“Is the Southern Region so barren that even a distinguished Son can’t produce a single holy treasure?”
“This one dares to sit beside our guild leader?”
Their jeers rang in Zhang Yang’s ears, making him frown.
He glanced at Jin Liuli, Marquis Xia Houzun, Lu Hengkong, and the other so-called competitors, then said calmly, “I just think this bet is rather dull.”
Jin Liuli snorted.
Tong Lieyang openly mocked, “Poor soul, just admit you don’t have a holy treasure instead of putting on a show.”
Irritated, Zhang Yang responded coldly, “I said it’s dull, not that I’m afraid. If we’re going to play, let’s raise the stakes—three holy treasures of equal value. Do you dare?”
He glared at them, feigning anger, and shouted, “Which one of you dares to bet against me? Anyone from the Western Desert?”
With that, the entire arena erupted in excitement.
This was a direct challenge to the Western Desert!
Before Tong Lieyang could respond, Marquis Xia Houzun—the first marquis of the Crimson Flame Dynasty immediately declared, “I’ll go all in!”
Lu Hengkong sneered, “Do you think the Western Desert lacks worthy challengers? Let’s take this to the end!”
Even more domineeringly, Jin Liuli threw out three holy treasures.
A golden holy bead.
A golden holy sword.
A golden gourd.
All three were divine weapons, positioned at the higher end of the holy treasure hierarchy, especially since offensive artifacts were far rarer than supportive ones.
Her overwhelming presence pressed heavily on the others.
Then her words caused the atmosphere to turn tense and cold.
“Golden Moon Holy Bead. Golden Moon Holy Sword. Golden Moon Gourd. These were forged by the Golden Moon Saint of the Cold Moon Dynasty over the course of his life. After our people from the Taixu Dynasty hunted him down, the saints no longer valued these and simply tossed them to me. While they may not be prized in the future—since they haven’t reached the immeasurable stage—they’re still good enough for a wager.”
The air turned frigid.
The moon-returning dragon, Liu Yuewu, and Gu Jianyun of the Cold Moon Dynasty were all visibly enraged.
This was a provocation, an insult, a flaunting of power that trampled over the corpses of their Cold Moon Dynasty.
The moon-returning dragon clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, consumed by humiliation.
In the Abyss of the Buried Immortals, Saint Yue Shou had been tricked and killed by the Taixu Dynasty.
Atop Star Tiger Mountain, news of the Golden Moon Saint’s death had been cast aside like refuse.
Such was the Cold Moon Dynasty’s dire predicament.
With enemies surrounding him, the moon-returning dragon could only endure the shame.
He gritted his teeth, hands clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his flesh. Yet he felt no pain, only the searing weight of humiliation as he stared at the three Golden Moon holy treasures.
“I won’t participate,” he said flatly.
Jin Liuli let out a mocking laugh.
She had succeeded in breaking the moon-returning dragon’s spirit.
Tong Lieyang added with contempt, “The prince of a poor, fallen nation dares to compete with us? Show some self-awareness. I won’t waste more words on you—you’re already beneath notice.”
His arrogance was boundless.
The moon-returning dragon hung his head in silence.
Liu Yuewu and Gu Jianyun burned with anger, but it served no purpose.
Zhang Yang, calmly observing everything, noted how the moon-returning dragon bore the humiliation. It became clear to him just how far the Cold Moon Dynasty had fallen. Yet despite their bleak situation, the moon-returning dragon had still been willing to trade with him—offering the Thunder-struck Sacred Wood, Holy Bone, and the Saint’s Handbook of Thunder in exchange for items that rightfully belonged to the Cold Moon Dynasty: the Moon Blade and the bloodline inheritance pearl.
That gesture earned Zhang Yang’s respect.
He ignored Tong Lieyang’s continued demands for Marquis Xia Houzun and Lu Hengkong to put forth their three holy treasures.
Sometimes, true friends chose to respect one another.
Even in desperation, they refrained from exploiting others. That, in itself, was a kind of strength—not arrogance, but dignity.
Zhang Yang then took out three items: the Holy Bone, the Saint’s Handbook of Thunder, and the Moonlight Saint Stone—each a treasure of considerable value.
But he didn’t stop there. Turning to Jin Liuli, he said, “I have treasures and wish to challenge the guild leader to a private bet. Would the guild leader be interested?”
Jin Liuli laughed. “This guild leader welcomes all challengers.”
Zhang Yang revealed the Great Path Sacred Fruit.
The moment it appeared, silence swept across the room.
Jin Liuli’s glassy eyes sparkled. “The Great Path Sacred Fruit, a priceless treasure!”
“Do you dare to bet?” Zhang Yang asked.
“Of course I dare! There’s nothing I, Jin Liuli, fear. That Great Path Sacred Fruit will be mine!” She grabbed a bottle and declared, “This is a holy bottle—inside is the Saint’s Spirit Casting Liquid!”
The Saint’s Spirit Casting Liquid?!
Zhang Yang’s heart leapt with excitement. That treasure had the power to rapidly evolve a boundless artifact into a holy weapon. His Crimson Sun Divine Rod was already on the path to becoming one, though the process had been agonizingly slow. With the Saint’s Spirit Casting Liquid, it would progress much faster.
He felt pleased but didn’t show it. Instead, he responded mildly, “Still seems a bit lacking. Why not add something smaller, something I want?”
Jin Liuli raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
Zhang Yang smiled. “The list of spies from the Taixu Dynasty who’ve infiltrated the Cold Moon Dynasty.”