Star Odyssey

Chapter 3807: Luck

The small group exited the carriage and walked to the edge of the cliff that Shui Su was looking at. Then, to her amazement, Lu Yin stepped onto the air, and a path appeared beneath his foot.

Elder Le directed a kindly smile at Shui Su. “Stay close. The path will change.”

His words frightened Shui Su, and she quickly moved closer to the two men.

Elder Le chuckled and stepped onto the path that had appeared.

As Shui Su stepped onto the path, the scenery on either side changed. She saw mountain ridges wind about sinuously and waterfalls flowing into rivers. The land that she saw was completely different from before, and it was amazing. So, this is what a powerful force is capable of.

“The truth is that my Everchange Valley did not originally wish to hide, but due to the unique nature of the Heaven and Earth Aura that we cultivate, we simply had too many visitors. Cultivating Heaven and Earth Aura requires a tranquil environment, and so we had no choice but to do this.

“Since then, anyone who wishes to enter my Everchange Valley is required to first send a tribute letter. Only if someone accepts that letter will they be allowed to visit.”

Lu Yin casually commented, “That’s not all.”

Elder Le agreed, “True. This is also a test for our disciples. There is more than one path ahead of you. Only by achieving the Ten Changes realm will one be able to see any path at all. When they reach the Hundred and the Thousand Changes realms, they will be able to see alternate paths. However, there is only one path that leads into the sect: this one.”

As the man spoke, the three people reached the end of the path. The space ahead of them opened up, and they saw an oddly shaped tree. It looked as if it was beckoning them in. Two people stood beside the tree. One was a middle-aged man who gave off an extraordinary aura, and his eyes seemed capable of peering into a person’s heart. His companion was a woman wearing a green veil that completely concealed her face. Even so, just a glance was enough to leave anyone astonished.

Shui Su was already staring at the woman.

After all, women who loved beauty did not have to dress for men to look at them; they could also do so for other women.

As far as Shui Su was concerned, there were few women who were capable of comparing to her in looks.

Similarly, the green-veiled woman’s attention focused on Shui Su. There was no denying that her beauty was remarkable.

A single step brought the three people into the valley. The middle-aged man stepped away from the odd tree with a smile. “Are you the same Mr. Lu who helped Lu Sizhan become the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster? I am Wan Lou, the Valley Master of the Everchange Valley.”

Elder Le stepped aside. Despite having an older appearance than Wan Lou, Elder Le was truthfully nothing more than a disciple.

Lu Yin politely replied, “I merely came to pay my respects. I didn’t expect to disturb the Valley Master.”

“Haha, you must be joking. For someone like you, if I, Wan Lou, did not greet you myself, I would be incredibly rude.”

Lu Yin exchanged a few pleasantries with the man.

Shui Su stared at Lu Yin’s back with curiosity and awe in her eyes. Wan Lou was the Valley Master of the Everchange Valley, which meant that he was one of the top figures in the megaverse. He was famous throughout the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, and he was regarded very highly. But despite his position, this Valley Master was personally welcoming this man. Just who was he? Also... what had Shui Su just heard? Had this man helped Lu Sizhan become the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster?

Isn’t Lu Sizhan the weakest of the Four Commands Sword Sect’s sect masters? He actually became the Sword Master? How did that happen?

At Wan Lou’s invitation, Lu Yin followed the man into the Everchange Valley.

To others, Wan Lou was an incredibly important person, but to Lu Yin, aside from the Greater Sancti, no one in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse could overshadow him. It did not matter if a person was the leader of one of the major powers or a Lesser Sancte; Lu Yin was confident that he was strong enough to sweep everyone aside. Because of this, Wan Lou’s attitude was considered perfectly natural.

Of course, since the man was being so courteous, Lu Yin would not behave arrogantly either.

As they walked, Wan Lou spoke at length about the Everchange Valley, and he also asked about the recent events that had taken place at the Four Commands Sword Sect. Lu Yin shared quite a bit, though Wan Lou made a point to never ask Lu Yin any personal questions. Eventually, they arrived in a valley that was filled with blossoming pink flowers. It was clear that it was an extraordinary place, and Lu Yin could sense powerful auras to both the left and right sides. They were both quite impressive.

“Xiaolong, step back for a moment.”

Ming Xiaolong glanced at Wan Lou and Lu Yin and then calmly withdrew.

Elder Le escorted Shui Su to also move back.

Only Wan Lou and Lu Yin stayed in a pavilion.

Wan Lou turned to face Lu Yin, and the man’s expression grew serious. “Mr. Lu, did you emerge from the Sea of Karma?”

Lu Yin understood that they were getting down to business. The truth of the matter was that Lu Yin had no direct connection with Wan Lou, as he was here on Ming Xiaolong’s request that concerned the Everchange Valley, as well as the Autumnspring Slip. There was no way to avoid Lu Yin getting involved with Wan Lou.

“That’s right.”

“May I ask what your relationship with Greater Sancte Green Lotus might be?”

Lu Yin looked at the man. “I had assumed that you wouldn’t ask.”

Wan Lou sounded rather helpless as he replied, “Under normal circumstances, I would refrain from such questions, as they would indeed be improper. However, this matter concerns my Everchange Valley, so I must beg for your understanding.”

Lu Yin sat down. “Ming Xiaolong didn’t tell you?”

Wan Lou gave a wry smile. “She did not. That girl is quite stubborn. If she wants to speak, no one can stop her. But if she wants to remain silent, no one can force her to speak either. You must understand, she’s one of the Seven Fairies.”

Lu Yin chuckled. “So you’re helpless when it comes to her?”

Wan Lou nodded. “Precisely. She may be a disciple of my Everchange Valley, but even I, the Valley Master, need to be polite when addressing her. Truthfully, she never intended to allow me to meet with you. According to her, this matter has nothing to do with me. However, since this involves both my Everchange Valley and the Autumnspring Slip, it’s impossible for it to have nothing to do with me. Ultimately, I was forced to offer certain concessions in order to secure this meeting with you.”

Lu Yin gave Wan Lou a sympathetic look. “You sound far beyond being merely helpless.”

Wan Lou shook his head, his expression growing even more solemn as he looked at Lu Yin. “Please, tell me the truth. Just what do you intend to do regarding Xiaolong’s demand? Given your strength, it should not be an issue for you to directly confront the Autumnspring Slip. However, since you are trying to get involved in Ming Xiaochou’s situation, the Autumnspring Slip may hold Everchange Valley responsible for your actions, which would be quite troublesome.”

“Does your Everchange Valley fear the Autumnspring Slip?”

“It’s not a matter of fear. Of course, when it comes to pure strength, my Everchange Valley is no match for the Autumnspring Slip. However, over the course of countless years, we have helped many people, which is why the Autumnspring Slip does not dare to do anything to us either. If the situation devolved to actual conflict, then even if they are capable of destroying my Everchange Valley, they would also be finished. Besides, my Everchange Valley is supported by Lesser Sancte Xing Fan.”

Lu Yin was surprised. “Lesser Sancte Xing Fan?”

Wan Lou nodded, but also let out a sigh. “Once, before Lesser Sancte Xing Fan’s cultivation method was completed, they entered seclusion in my Everchange Valley for a time. It was then that the Lesser Sancte became who they are now. Because of that, Lesser Sancte Xing Fan owes my Everchange Valley a favor, and because of that favor, the Autumnspring Slip will not dare to do anything to us.”

“Then what are you afraid of?” Lu Yin could not understand the situation.

Wan Lou stared off into the distance, his hands clasped behind his back. “Because I lost a bet.”

There was a moment of silence. Lu Yin stared at Wan Lou, not sure of how to respond.

Ming Xiaochou lost a bet with the Autumnspring Slip and had been taken away. In that case, what had Wan Lou lost?

“You also made a bet with the Autumnspring Slip?”

Wan Lou nodded. “That girl, Xiaolong, has long been upset with me, feeling that I failed to save her brother. What a joke! I merely intended to teach Xiaochou a lesson. When he lost the bet, I never thought that the Autumnspring Slip would actually take him away.

“He lost, so naturally I stepped in... only to also lose.”

Lu Yin stared intently at Wan Lou. When he first laid eyes on the Valley Master, he had radiated an extraordinary aura. He had shown the kind of presence that gave the impression of someone who had everything under control. During their earlier conversation, Wan Lou had given Lu Yin the impression of someone who was scheming something. The truth was that everything was just for show.

Despite everything, this man had the nerve to stand there with his hands behind his back?

“Xiaolong doesn’t know?”

“Of course not! How could I speak of such a thing?” Wan Lou retorted.

Lu Yin chuckled. “Honestly, since I first heard about Ming Xiaochou’s situation, I never even asked how he lost his wager. How he lost didn’t matter to me, so long as I can get him back. However, I’m now quite curious. How did he lose? Also, how did you lose?”

At that moment, both men turned to look at the entrance of the valley. Ming Xiaolong had arrived, and her eyes were fixed onto Wan Lou. “Are you done talking? I have something to say to him.”

Wan Lou looked embarrassed. “Just a bit longer. We’re nearly done.”

Ming Xiaolong frowned, and she looked as if she was about to say something.

Wan Lou gave an awkward smile. “I just need a moment, honestly.”

Ming Xiaolong gave the man a pointed glance and then turned to leave, never even looking at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin watched as the woman left. She was even more arrogant in her actions than Lu Siyu.

“Ahem... Shall we continue?”

Lu Yin looked back at Wan Lou, amused by the exchange. “You really don’t have an easy time of things, do you?”

Wan Lou sighed. “What can I do? Her backing is truly powerful, and even her sisters are no joke. Do you know how many people have lined up, hoping for a disciple of the Everchange Valley to help them? But a single letter from the Four Commands Sword Sect causes one of my sect’s disciples to rush over. It’s all because Lu Siyu is in the East Command. Not even I could have stopped him.”

The longer the Valley Master spoke for, the greater one empathized with his situation.

Lu Yin thought of Lu Sizhan and then looked back at Wan Lou. Those Seven Fairies are not at all easy to deal with.

Given his current knowledge, Lu Yin could not imagine what sort of life would have awaited him if he had actually agreed to marry the Seven Fairies. It was not that he feared Greater Sancte Green Lotus, but rather that those seven women themselves were quite intimidating. It was likely that not one of them was easy to handle.

Wan Lou did not want to linger on the subject. “Both Xiaochou and I made the same wager with the Autumnspring Slip, and it was the simplest that you can imagine: pure luck.

“Cultivators have countless ways to interfere with games of chance. Regardless of the game, there is nothing that can avoid the perception of the truly powerful. For that reason, wagering on pure luck is the best kind of bet.”

With that, the man raised his hand, causing dust to gather and form an ordinary stone die that spun above his palm. “Without using any power and with all senses sealed, guess what number the die will land on.”

Lu Yin arched a brow. “That simple?”

“That simple. It was the best two out of three.” Wan Lou dropped his hand, and the die disintegrated into dust. “Both Xiaochou and I lost during the third round.”

“That seems straightforward enough.”

“There was no issue with the proceedings, none whatsoever. I am completely confident that the Autumnspring Slip did not use any method to cheat: not an innate gift, and no sequence particles. Furthermore, Xiaochou and I both gambled against a different person, both of whom were the most average of the Autumnspring Slip’s disciples, someone I could have struck down with a single strike. Even so, we both lost.”

Curiosity appeared on Lu Yin’s face as he observed Wan Lou. “Why? Did they predict the outcome?”

Wan Lou nodded. “That was my guess, but I couldn’t confirm anything. Do you know the Autumnspring Slip’s cultivation method?”

Lu Yin shook his head. “Not really.”

“The Autumnspring Slip was founded on spirit seed cultivation, with the Autumnspring Slip itself serving as the core. They write characters on that bamboo slip, and it’s as though their strokes are guided by the spirits themselves. They fight through these written characters. Whatever character they write determines the power that will be unleashed. For example, writing the slash (斩) character will produce a slashing attack. Writing the lock (锁) character will create a seal of some kind.”

Lu Yin remembered how he had been repelled from the Skyward Gate. He had been delayed when that old woman had written the retreat (退) character. She had then created a forest with that character, and it had pushed Lu Yin back.

“We lost because of ‘luck’.”

Lu Yin suddenly connected the dots, and blurted, “The luck (运) character?”

Wan Lou nodded, his expression grave. “Exactly. The character for luck itself.”

Lu Yin could not believe what he was hearing. “Can the Autumnspring Slip really do that?”

Wan Lou barked a sharp laugh. “The Autumnspring Slip is not only the name of their sect, but also the name of the bamboo slip that drifts across the sky. That bamboo slip is a mirebound artifact, and you can always trust a mirebound artifact to have a miraculous ability.”

Lu Yin understood. If this was the case, then the two men’s losses were certainly to be expected.

The Autumnspring Slip had always had luck on their side.