Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension-Chapter 486 - 324: Nine Heavens

Chapter 486 -324: Nine Heavens

Heavenly Dao Calendar, Seventh Epoch, year 1145, early May, the seventh day

On this day, the Soul Comforting Temple grandly opened its gates to welcome followers from all directions to ascend the mountain and worship the gods.

Early in the morning, as the first light of dawn graced the sky, the foot of Qingyang Mountain was already filled with an assortment of luxurious carriages. Lords and ladies dressed in splendid Jinyi alighted from their carriages with the help of their servants, making their way to the temple gates to wait in silence.

Dong~ Dong~ Dong!

As the twin suns leapt above the horizon, a series of solemn and deep bell tones suddenly emanated from the mountain’s summit.

The distinguished guests at the foot of the mountain began to ascend slowly, taking the jade steps upwards. After a thousand jade steps, they were finally welcomed into the temple by the Guest Daoists who had been waiting at the gate.

The twin suns climbed higher into the sky; by now, one Rune Flying Car after another began to arrive fully loaded from all directions.

At the temple gate, Zhao Sheng jumped down from the carriage’s cabin and sneered at the bustling crowd of pilgrims.

With a long roar from the White Tiger, the Rune Car swiftly departed into the distance.

Just then, a cry of surprise came from the side: “Brother Bao, you’ve finally returned. We’ve been waiting for you so anxiously!”

Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw a young man with a powdered face rush up to him, his face full of joy.

“Zeng Fang, when have you ever cared so much about your young master?” Zhao Sheng spoke with obvious disdain. The craftiness of the young lad was nearly written on his face, only the fool of his predecessor thought the young man was a good companion.

“Oh, today is the tenth day of rest. How about we have fun in my courtyard? A lot of our brothers are there, too. Brother Bao, don’t you want to win back your losses?” The powdered face lad winked and tempted him.

At this moment, unable to watch any longer, Gui Li suddenly interjected, “Sanbao, you have already delayed your tasks for three days.”

“Ah, the tasks can be discussed later. It’s not easy to have a day of freedom once every half month; I’m going to win big today. You go back first, brother; we’re off to play.”

Zhao Sheng appeared impatient to follow the powdered face lad into the carriage, resembling a desperate gambler addicted to betting.

Zhao Sheng knew full well why the powdered face lad had come.

If these people were setting a trap for him, then they couldn’t blame him for winning back his stake – with interest.

Watching the carriage speed away, Gui Li shook his head, lowering his opinion of Sanbao once again.

About twenty-something miles away from Qingyang Mountain, within the forest, was a small estate nestled between a mountain and a river.

On this day, a carriage rushed into the estate’s gate and finally stopped in front of a waterside pavilion.

Zhao Sheng and his companion hopped off the carriage and excitedly entered the pavilion.

Upon entering, Zhao Sheng’s eyes flickered as he saw a group of friends; he burst into wild laughter, proclaiming, “Indeed, many old losers have arrived! I’m bound to strike it rich today.”

“Junior Brother Bao, it’s not certain yet who will lose and who will win today. Don’t be so arrogant! And did you bring enough capital?” A handsome young man smiled mischievously, deliberately provoking him.

This person was named Wu Shengshen, a descendant of Wu Changyong, and one of the seven Daoist Children inducted into the Soul Comforting Temple.

It should be said that he had a close relationship with Zhao Sheng’s predecessor but had also swindled him the most; he was a major creditor of Sanbao.

Zhao Sheng’s lips curled up as he patted his bulging waist pouch and boldly stated, “I have over a hundred Spirit Stones, more than enough to beat you all. Today we won’t use gold; we start with Spirit Stones. Who dares to join?”

“I dare!”

“Me too!”

“Haha, it’s just Spirit Stones! I’ve got quite a few these past days; I might as well gamble with Brother Bao this time.”

The crowd eagerly participated. Hosts Zeng Fang and Wu Shengshen exchanged a smile,

This fool Sanbao easily fell into the trap.

Shortly after, a gambling table was set up in the middle of the pavilion, surrounded by a plethora of gambling games.

“Brother Bao, what shall we gamble on today? Animal fights, card games, dice, or try something new?”

Zhao Sheng’s gaze swept over the many gambling tools and finally settled on the dice cup.

With a wave of his hand, he declared airily, “Let’s play something simple and exciting today: we’ll bet on high or low!”

“Alright, we’ll bet on high or low!” The crowd roared in agreement.

…

Thump thump thump~ Bang!

“Bets are set! High or low?”

“Low!”

“I’m betting high!”

“Low!”

Zhao Sheng, without even glancing, casually threw a Spirit Stone that rolled to the high side, “Your young master will warm up with a bet on high!”

Everyone placed their bets and Zeng Fang lifted the dice cup, shouting, “Four, five, six, fifteen points, high!”

“Haha, I’m off to a good start; fortune favors me today!” Zhao Sheng gleefully collected two Spirit Stones, his expression brimming with smugness.

After one round, the gambling continued…

Thump thump thump~ Bang!

“Bets are set! High or low?”

That round, Zhao Sheng still bet high, but…

“Open— one, two, three points, low!”

As he watched the Spirit Stones being taken away, Zhao Sheng’s eyes bulged with frustration, shouting, “I don’t believe this; next round, I’m still betting high!”

…

The gambling went on incessantly, with Zhao Sheng winning only a few times and losing mostly.

An hour later, Zhao Sheng was left with only about thirty Spirit Stones.

By then, he seemed to be in a frenzy, increasing the number of Spirit Stones he wagered with each bet.

“Open— two, three, three points, eight points, low! Junior Brother Bao, you lose again!”

Finally, after one round, the hundred-plus Spirit Stones were gone. Zhao Sheng’s face flushed red, his eyes filled with the veins of a gambler who had lost control.

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“Junior Brother Bao, you’ve run out of Spirit Stones. Perhaps we should end this gambling session here!” Wu Shengshen “kindly” suggested.