Seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, a solid Heaven Class student.

In everyone else’s eyes, he was still just a Yellow Class Qi Condensation disciple… no, he was now at the first layer of Foundation Establishment, barely scraping the edge of the Mysterious Class.

A Mysterious Class student is challenging an established veteran of the Heaven Class.

His lips quirked.

However, a real cultivation of the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, paired with a Great Circle level sword technique.

This time, it was in the bag.

He no longer hesitated. Focusing his divine sense, he selected Zhou Tong’s name, chose the suggested time and location, and clicked “Issue Challenge.”

Fifty Academy currency points were immediately deducted. The balance on his jade token jumped to a glaring fifteen.

“Fifty points?”

Xiao Che’s eyes widened, and his heart gave a painful twitch.

“I’m truly impressed. This Academy really doesn’t take any losses… everything costs money.”

To be fair, if it were free, the people on the Heavenly Pride Ranking would be challenged until they were practically smoking. Venues, referees, and formation maintenance… every single thing was a cost.

He grumbled while feeling the sting in his wallet, but his mood stabilized slightly when his gaze caught the small print: *Victory earns 200 points.*

“If I win, it’s a net profit of one hundred and fifty… alright, this is a good deal.”

“Early Hour of the Monkey, Platform A-3.”

“Well, there really is no turning back once the arrow is notched.”

He turned and walked toward his quiet room. He needed to adjust his state to its peak before the Hour of the Monkey.

*Making money is so hard.*

***

At the same time.

Deep within Tianshu Peak.

Lifeng Residence.

This was a small courtyard of green stone, similar in scale to the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, except for a green stone sword stage in the center. The stage was crisscrossed with sword scars, exuding a heavy, condensed sharpness.

Inside the house, a cold-faced young man dressed in black martial robes stared at the light screen before him, his brow furrowed.

This was the true disciple of Tianshu Court, Chu Yunfeng, currently at the Great Circle of Foundation Establishment.

On the light screen was that “Explosive” post concerning Bai Ling and Xiao Che.

Chu Yunfeng’s finger paused on the screen for a moment. After reading the last comment, a hint of chill flickered in the depths of his eyes as he slowly closed the interface.

“Second Senior Brother!”

Two young disciples pushed the door open and entered, their voices urgent. “Over at the Lingshu Mirror… that post! The whole Academy is talking about it!”

Chu Yunfeng turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two.

That faint coldness made their throats tighten, and the rest of their words were swallowed back down.

Chu Yunfeng walked to the window, his back to the two as he looked at the sword stage in the courtyard.

“Go.”

His voice was flat.

“Investigate everything about this Xiao Che—his background, cultivation, history, and social connections. I want a complete file, no matter how trivial the detail.”

The two disciples exchanged a look and immediately bowed.

“Yes, Second Senior Brother!”

***

Early Hour of the Monkey.

White Deer Academy.

Martial Arts Platform A-3.

A sea of people.

Clearly, the first public challenge from the newly minted “Man of the Hour” Xiao Che, combined with that scandalous post on the spirit-network, had maximized the attraction.

Xiao Qing squeezed into a spot near the front, her small face pale with nerves, her hands clenched tightly together.

Mu Xinlan and Shi Zhongshan stood beside her.

A few other freshmen from Tianshu Court had also arrived.

Wu Hong and Shen Qinghe stood together. Lu Mingxin leaned alone against a pillar slightly further away, her fingers tracing lines in the air as if she were calculating something.

The crowd suddenly stirred, parting to the sides.

Bai Ling had arrived.

Today, she had actually changed into a formal moon-white flowing cloud dress. Her black hair was tied up, pinned with a simple jade hairpin. Her stunning face was expressionless, and her natural, soft charm was entirely retracted, leaving only a faint, dignified majesty.

She quietly walked to a spot near the referee’s bench and stood still. She immediately drew the majority of the gazes, and the clamor in the arena dropped by several degrees.

On the stage, Zhou Tong already stood with his sword in his arms.

Dressed in sharp green robes, he had a tall, straight figure and a face that could be considered handsome, though his thin lips suggested a touch of pettiness.

He held his longsword, which remained in its scabbard, yet a sharp aura already circulated around him.

His eyes swept over the crowd below with a hint of arrogance.

At that moment, the crowd stirred again, automatically parting to create a path.

Xiao Che walked forward at an unhurried pace.

His white robes fluttered, his posture tall and straight. Carrying the “Flowing Fire” sword on his back, his face was sharply defined. Beneath his sword-like brows, his starry eyes were clear and bright. Standing in the crowd, he was as handsome as a celestial from a painting.

“Wow…”

A wave of hushed exclamations rose from below. Many female disciples’ eyes lit up.

“That’s Xiao Che? He looks even better than in the spirit-images…”

“That face… that temperament… no wonder Senior Sister Bai Ling…”

“Shh! Quiet! Senior Sister Bai Ling is right over there!”

“What use is being handsome? His cultivation is too far behind… he’ll probably be face-down on the floor within three breaths.”

Xiao Che seemed oblivious to the commotion around him as he walked straight toward the stage.

“Brother!”

Xiao Qing couldn’t help but shout. Her small hands were clenched, and though her voice trembled, she tried to raise it. “You… you can definitely do it! But… please be careful!”

Hearing her, Xiao Che’s steps paused. He smiled at her and even gave a wink.

“Don’t worry.”

On the other side, Lu Mingxin spoke in a calm tone.

“Junior Brother Xiao, according to the calculations from existing data, Senior Brother Zhou Tong’s win rate is approximately ninety percent. I suggest focusing on defensive maneuvers. Safety first.”

Xiao Che didn’t stop, merely waving a hand at them.

“Thanks. But… in my eyes, there is only winning and losing.”

He paused, his lips curving slightly.

“There is no such thing as probability.”

Lu Mingxin’s clear eyes blinked. She looked down and quickly began tracing lines again, murmuring to herself.

“Hmm… a new variable. His Qi is harmonious, hidden but not released… the previous deduction model needs to be revised.”

Standing a bit further away, Bai Ling heard those words, and the corner of her lip twitched slightly.

“He certainly talks big…”

Just as Xiao Che was about to step onto the stage, a raspy, duck-like voice suddenly howled nearby, nearly bursting his eardrums.

“The book is open, the book is open! Xuan Buyan of the Divination Court, a gold-standard reputation, an honest and ancient establishment!

A scrawny young man with a messy explosion of hair stood on a wooden crate by the edge of the stage, gesturing wildly with spit flying everywhere.

No matter how one looked at him, he appeared incredibly shifty.

“Zhou Tong of the Sword Court, seventh layer of Foundation Establishment, a brilliant record! Odds are one to one-point-two!”

“Xiao Che of Tianshu Court, first layer of Foundation Establishment, a newborn calf! Odds are one to ten!”

“Place your bets! Spirit stones or Academy currency are both accepted! Honest business, no cheating the young or old!

Xiao Che’s steps faltered, and his eye twitched.

Xuan Buyan!

His teeth itched with hatred. This was the guy who had made that post!

He saw quite a few disciples crowding over to place bets, almost all of them betting on Zhou Tong to win.

Xiao Che’s heart stirred. *Isn’t this the perfect chance to make a fortune?*

He quickly took a few steps and squeezed over to Xiao Qing’s side, lowering his voice.

“Qing’er, those five hundred spirit stones… have you spent them yet?”

“Huh? Not yet, Brother,” Xiao Qing said, startled.

“Quick, take all of them and bet on me to win.”

Xiao Qing’s eyes went wide.

“Brother! This… will this work? Zhou Tong is at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment…”

“Trust your brother.”

Xiao Che patted the back of her hand, his tone relaxed. “When has your brother ever let you lose money? Go, quickly, before the odds change.”

***

NOTES

Session Glossary Updates (Memorized):

– 楚雲鋒 = Chu Yunfeng (True disciple of Tianshu Court)

– 陸明心 = Lu Mingxin (Analytical student)

– 蕭晴 = Xiao Qing (Xiao Che’s sister)

– 靈樞玄鑒 = Lingshu Mirror (The Academy’s spirit-forum interface)

– 流火 = Flowing Fire (Xiao Che’s sword)

Footnotes:

TN1: Hour of the Monkey (申時): 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Translator’s Note: Frenadro Steph here. Xiao Che is leaning into the “underdog” betting trope, a classic way for protagonists to solve their financial woes in one go. The introduction of Chu Yunfeng adds a layer of “young master” antagonism to the upcoming fight.

Ink Hub, Frenadro Steph, your translator. Enjoy, and drop feedback; it sharpens the blade.