The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 2388: Chapter 2388: The Butcher’s Knife and the Fish

Xihua Immortal Venerable’s eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s, teasingly fixed on Xu Yiming and the numerous Faro Heaven cultivators.

Xihua Immortal Venerable paused only briefly before continuing disdainfully, "Each cultivator from Faro Heaven needs to pay a compensation of one million Black Crystal Stones. Listen carefully, every single one of you from Faro Heaven must hand over one million Black Crystal Stones!"

Upon hearing Xihua Immortal Venerable’s words, the Faro Heaven cultivators were instantly in an uproar.

One million Black Crystal Stones may not seem much, but for cultivators in the Nether Sky Realm and the Immortal Rhythm Netherworld Realm, if they were within the Heavenly Domain, a million Black Crystal Stones would indeed not be considered a significant amount.

However, now they were on a Heavenly Domain Flying Boat traveling through the Chaotic Primordial Space, and the expenses they incurred to purchase the tickets were accumulated over countless years of effort.

"Also! The bets placed by Faro Heaven cultivators in this gambling duel cannot be refunded, not even a single Black Crystal Stone. All their bets will belong to Eastern Marvel Heaven." This was directed at Manager Qi and others.

The majority of Faro Heaven’s cultivators had placed bets. Many of them had even bet all their Black Crystal Stones. In such circumstances, asking them to come up with another million Black Crystal Stones might force them to sell some treasures or materials at low prices.

Xihua Immortal Venerable’s demand that Tianji Trading House does not return even the bets only worsened their situation. Many were shaking with anger, but no one dared to raise their voice in refusal. Wei Yong, for saying a few more words, was directly killed by Xihua Immortal Venerable.

In fact, the reason why Xihua Immortal Venerable demanded each Faro Heaven cultivator hand over one million Black Crystal Stones was a number he decided upon after much consideration. Firstly, one million Black Crystal Stones is not too much, and most Faro Heaven cultivators could probably manage to come up with it one way or another. If he demanded too much and they simply couldn’t come up with such an amount, then even an inflated number would be meaningless.

He, Xihua Immortal Venerable, wanted more Black Crystal Stones, but they had to be within reach to be counted as obtained.

"Lord Xihua, this is probably inappropriate. After all, it was the Faro Heaven cultivators who won this duel between the two Heavenly Domains!" Manager Qi persisted bitterly. Although they were but stewards, not holding particularly high positions, they did represent Tianji Trading House.

"Hmph, Faro Heaven won? I don’t buy it! I’m well aware of Yan Qin’s strength. How could these Faro Heaven trash defeat Yan Qin? Now, even though Yan Qin has been killed, I believe there must be some hidden truth behind this. How could this Xu Yiming defeat Yan Qin?" Xihua Immortal Venerable snorted coldly.

"Enough, say no more senseless words. This is how it will be! Don’t think you can act arrogantly in front of me just because you’re from Tianji Trading House. Incite me, and I’ll kill every one of you just as indiscriminately!" Xihua Immortal Venerable’s voice turned sharply sinister.

If not because Manager Qi and others were members of Tianji Trading House, Xihua Immortal Venerable would not have wasted words with them. If they dared to entangle, he would have killed them outright.

"Immortal Venerable, I didn’t bet! This gambling duel has nothing to do with me! It’s not just me, but many from Faro Heaven who haven’t bet either." One Faro Heaven cultivator finally gathered the courage to speak up.

Indeed, many didn’t place bets and were simply victims of this unforeseen calamity.

"Say one more word, and it’s death!" Xihua Immortal Venerable said coldly, "I give Faro Heaven’s cultivators three days to prepare! Three days later, at the gambling platform in this low-level area, each of you will hand over one million Black Crystal Stones, and I shall not pursue this matter further. If any Faro Heaven members are absent after three days, I can guarantee that those who are absent will absolutely regret it. As for Xu Yiming, hehe... I’ll consider his fate in three days! Simply killing him would be too lenient!"

After saying this, Xihua Immortal Venerable turned and left.

"Farewell, Immortal Venerable!"

"Lord Xihua, take care!" The cultivators from Eastern Marvel Heaven repeatedly sounded their farewells.

Soon, Xihua Immortal Venerable’s figure disappeared from everyone’s sight.

"Faro Heaven’s people suffered a huge loss this time!"

"Indeed, despite winning the gambling duel, not only did they not obtain the resources, but they also lost their capital. On top of that, each person still needs to come up with a million Black Crystal Stones."

"This Xihua Immortal Venerable is truly domineering!"

"Right, extremely forceful. It seems even Tianji Trading House must yield to him somewhat—just who is he?"

"I’ve heard of this Xihua Immortal Venerable before. Over a million years ago, I went to Eastern Marvel Heaven to purchase a batch of materials and heard about Xihua Immortal Venerable. It’s said his mentor is one of the highest-status Immortal Venerables in Eastern Marvel Heaven." A merchant from another Heavenly Domain said.

"No wonder! No wonder even Tianji Trading House endures him. The most powerful Immortal Venerable from Eastern Marvel Heaven is not easy to provoke!"

"Tsk, tsk..." The cultivators from various Heavenly Domains commented one after another.

However, they did not genuinely sympathize with the Faro Heaven people. In the Mixed Element Immortal Domain, the path of cultivation is just like this—survival of the fittest. If you’re weak, you’re just waiting to be devoured.

"Brother Xu, what... what should we do?" Said a dispirited Immortal Rhythm Peak Cultivator from Faro Heaven.

A few people, together with Xu Yiming, discussed what they should do next.

Xu Yiming was also full of despair; he didn’t know what to do. If he had known that killing Yan Qin would lead to Xihua Immortal Venerable’s retribution, he might have surrendered on the gambling platform instead. At least Wei Yong wouldn’t have died, and the Faro Heaven cultivators wouldn’t need to each come up with a million Black Crystal Stones as compensation.

"Alas, what else can we do! That Xihua Immortal Venerable is clearly an extremely ruthless person. If we don’t do as he says, and don’t hand over that one million Black Crystal Stones, we fear the consequences will be dire." One elderly Immortal Rhythm Cultivator sighed helplessly.

"I don’t even have ten thousand Black Crystal Stones on me, where am I supposed to find one million?" cried someone in anguish.

Among the Faro Heaven cultivators, some who dared not express their anger towards Xihua Immortal Venerable now vented it at Xu Yiming and others. Especially those who did not place bets, they blamed Xu Yiming for causing their losses. However, these people were in the minority; most understood the situation.

"Lord Steward, are we... are we to be bullied like this on Tianji Trading House’s Heavenly Domain Flying Boat?" Xu Yiming looked at the stewards with grief and indignation. It seemed their only bit of hope had to be sought from Tianji Trading House.

Manager Qi and the others all had grim expressions. That Xihua Immortal Venerable had also shamed Tianji Trading House!

"Fellow Daoists, please return first! I will seek instructions from Lord Chief to see how to resolve this matter." This was all Manager Qi could say.

Though he said this, he had already realized that it would be hard to give Faro Heaven cultivators a fair outcome in this matter. He had already sent a message to the Chief Manager, but the Chief Manager hadn’t shown up. The Chief Manager’s attitude was already quite apparent. Even if he went to find the Chief Manager again, he feared they wouldn’t stick up for the Faro Heaven cultivators.

The background of Xihua Immortal Venerable was too formidable.

"I beg your pardon, Lord Steward!" Xu Yiming could see that the steward’s attitude was somewhat perfunctory, but what could he do?

Powerless like fish on a chopping board!