Chapter 555 (2/2)

Shuffle, shuffle.2 Instantly, only black scorch marks and smoke were left.

Ye Futu instantly stopped.

Su Xing's whole body radiated a dense, cold qi. Even from very far away, Ye Futu felt this was bone-chilling.

”Eh?”

Ye Futu was astonished. He did not dare believe there would surprisingly be someone able to so easily break his Vermilion Bird's Soaring Wing.

”Brother Su Xing, you are very secretive.

He narrowed his eyes.

”It's nothing, only the Heavenly Water Heart Flame, that's all.” Su Xing smiled. His hand opened, and a water-flame burned.

Ye Futu's expression sunk.

This man in front of him was far more secretive and reserved than he had imagined. Each segment of his series of attacks just now could be said to be perfect. An average cultivator would inevitably be endlessly miserable in close quarters, but his opponent had handled everything with room to spare. Ye Futu even felt that Su Xing was simply not using full strength.

”Brother Futu, I wonder what that fire ability was just now? I have never heard of it.” Su Xing spoke.

”This Ye was fortunate enough to obtain an unknown Strange Fire from an Immemorial Ruin. However, it seems to be a bit lacking against Brother Su Xing.” Ye Futu smiled, speaking vaguely. He clearly was somewhat cautious.

”Then shall we continue?” Su Xing said.

”Although This Ye is at a disadvantage, that does not mean I am limited to only this.” Ye Futu smiled, suddenly taking action.

The cold air was biting, and Su Xing launched an attack.

Ye Futu leaned and let loose a fire arrow. Su Xing's clawing Heavenly Water Heart Flame immediately met the fire arrow. The Heavenly Water Heart Flame used was far from being as pure as a smelting fire, however, Su Xing secretly added Instant Frost Flame, easily breaking the fire arrow.

Just when Su Xing cut apart the fire arrow, Ye Futu already leapt up.

Su Xing's speed instantly followed.

”Birds Revere The Phoenix!!”3

Ye Futu leapt up into the air. His arms spread open, and the fire wings behind him abruptly enlarged. Flapping his wings, fire feathers then flew out, becoming a hundred fire arrows that then attacked Su Xing from all sides using the flames.

This guy’s got some moves.

Su Xing saw the might of the Birds Revere The Phoenix. He did not dare underestimate it, but for the sake of avoiding exposing his identity, he did not use Purple Fiend. The Heavenly Water Heart Flame once again flew out, however, he was already unable to hold back on the Instant Frost Flame this time and formed countless ice rings.

Following Ye Futu's intense attack, Su Xing continuously tore apart his flames while paying attention to his movements at the same time.

When he grew familiar with Ye Futu's attack patterns, Su Xing indifferently intercepted where Ye Futu was about to land.

His figure moved, spinning and attacking. The cold air strangely spun about, sweeping a big whole in the atmosphere.

Ye Futu suddenly leaned away and avoided this terrifying power, brandishing his sword.

A chance!

Su Xing's eyes glinted with a cold light. His entire person shot like a sword towards his opponent, and an ear-splitting sharp whoosh poured into everyone's ears. The radiance in his eyes suddenly dimmed. This attack was faster than he had imagined, and by the time the dodging Ye Futu sensed danger, Su Xing's figure had already vanished without a trace from his sight like mist. Then, a sword-like figure was already in front of him. However, Ye Futu's reactions were extremely quick. Ye Futu possessed Magnificent Star Hao Bingxin's Innate Skill, ”Battle Potential.”4 This Innate Skill could allow Ye Futu to display his own potential at critical moments in battle. As they say, one’s courage mounts as the battle progresses.

His hands promptly folded in front of him to form an absolute defense. He firmly received the entirety of the blow's force. The powerful impact made the ground and table behind his body disintegrate. Ye Lingxi was flabbergasted at their exchange of attacks.

It was already impossible to describe the shock in the girl's heart.

Su Xing sneered in his mind, once again acting without any mercy.

He closed in and punched.

The completely uncushioned impact made Ye Futu suddenly lose his balance. The Su Xing whose eyes flowed with a cold light did not let go of this opportunity at all. His arm suddenly rose, and then attacked again with the entire force of his body. Ye Futu's reactions far exceeded Su Xing's presumptions, and flames flew out from his body.

The air burned with a crackling sound.

Just when Ye Futu thought he could repel his opponent with fire, he suddenly felt his back go cold.

Su Xing had strangely circled around his field of view and appeared behind him.

What cultivator was this?

Supervoid Sword Saint???!!

Ye Futu was suddenly shocked.

”Excuse me!!” Su Xing said.

Ye Futu struck a hand seal. The swirling flames became a cold light. Freezing ice and fire slammed into each other in the air, unexpectedly clashing with the sounds of weapons. The next instant, Ye Futu did not hesitate at all to use both hands as his sharpest weapons to face off against Su Xing.

Battle Potential had been completely stimulated, and he would not concede defeat even in death.

Ye Futu completely did not expect that his first Battle Potential would be used on this young man.

The hall suddenly raged with intense noises. Zhu Sha opened an array, just barely averting affecting the entire hall.

Just when Ye Futu felt grim, Su Xing was astonished.

He had Battle Doctrine and believed handling a cultivator would not be difficult. Although he was holding back a bit against Ye Futu, his opponent nevertheless took his attacks time and time again. Furthermore, he was becoming more and more courageous in this rapidly changing battle, maintaining unforeseen battle ability.

He was not an ordinary Sword Cultivator.

What made him even more shocked was that ever swing of his opponent's sword changed, becoming even more quick, even more skilful, even more lethal.

As if noticing Su Xing's surprise, Ye Futu's ordinary expression finally curled into a slight sneer. He used an even fiercer attack to continue his advance, not intending to retreat at all.

He refused to retreat!

Pretty good battle energy.

But that was all.

Su Xing was impressed. His pupils burned with an ice-cold blaze that was more scorching than this fire. Ye Futu's heart had an indistinct feeling of danger. The soaring flames washed away the cold air and icy chill, and his sharp eyes and his weapon became one line. He suddenly charged forwards, his sword stabbing with a roar. In the air, an arc of crimson that was red as blood was drawn.

Bang!

Flame and ice collided!

Suddenly, a freezing chill and the flame's stifling presence rocked like a shockwave.

The two of them crossed.

The hall fell into silence.

After a while, they turned around the same time, and Ye Futu laughed aloud.

”Did Elder Brother win?” Just as Ye Lingxi was about to shout in excitement, suddenly, Ye Futu coughed, vomiting blood. He fell to a knee. Ye Futu forced a smile – he had lost.

”How can this be…” Ye Lingxi sat on the ground in a daze.

Gong Caiwei narrowed her eyes, not at all surprised at this outcome. However, she saw that Ye Futu's battle display had surpassed her imagination. His progress was faster than before. In the days he had disappeared, just what had happened to him?

”Impressive, This Ye wholeheartedly accepts defeat.” Ye Futu cupped his fist.

”You let me win. However, Brother Ye has a Star General. If she had taken action, Your Servant would have undoubtedly died.” Su Xing modestly said. Gong Caiwei wanted to laugh when she heard this – This man was truly shameless.

”This is our contest. Naturally, I would not count Star Generals.” Ye Futu did not conceal anything: ”If we had actually Star Dueled right now, Your Servant would truly have died.”

”On this, you can relax. I have nothing to do with the Star Duels.” Su Xing did not lie. The Star Duels indeed were unrelated to him, as long as those people did not provoke him. Su Xing's goal was to end the Star Duels, not to engage in internecine strife.

Ye Futu thought that Su Xing was saying he himself was not a Star Master, and his eyes held an odd glint.

”Brother Su has won two games. Your Servant has nothing to say. This Ye shall inform Little Sister later to make her stop bothering Brother. However, if I could have a brother-in-law like yourself, Su Xing, that would be better. Ha, ha.” Ye Futu teased.

Ye Lingxi, strangely, was not angry. The girl at this moment was dumb as a wooden chicken, unable to accept that the Elder Brother she was so proud of had been defeated in two of the aspects he was best in to a person she loathed.

”It would be better if we continued with the third game.” Su Xing suddenly said.

Ye Futu was taken aback.

”Brother Ye said before, there is no time after the Banquet to play around like this. You might as well take advantage of this chance, enjoy ourselves to the fullest.” Su Xing said: ”Of course, if Brother Ye is willing, let us add a new bet to the third game to satisfy your little sister.”

Ye Futu wrinkled his brow. He could not understand what Su Xing was plotting, but he still nodded, ”How shall we bet?”

”If I win, may I meet Brother Ye's Star General? Liangshan Continent's legendary Star Generals are somewhat interesting.” Su Xing explained.

Ye Futu did not say anything. He contemplated for a while, staring at Su Xing.

Thinking carefully, there was apparently no big deal. Star Generals were very important to a Star Master from a Star Duels perspective. To know of their identity beforehand, there was the possibility to prepare countermeasures, but now that the final phase was nearly upon them, hiding was no longer needed.

After a light flickered, a petite and cute girl emerged. She was like a lovely ceramic doll, uniquely delicate. Even Gong Caiwei showed a bit of delight.

”Hmph, do you seek me?” Hao Bingxin was already impatient. In fact, when Ye Futu and Su Xing were dueling, Ye Futu had previously made Hao Bingxin wait for an opportunity to kill Su Xing. However, Gong Caiwei's Resourceful Strategist Zhu Wu's formation was nearby, staying their hand. Otherwise, how could both sides be bullshitting each other with false friendship.

”Who are you? To surprisingly be able to defeat Futu.” Hao Bingxin pursed her lip angrily.

”What a cute little sister.” Su Xing chuckled. His hand held a bag of treats, like a standard weird uncle.

”Your Servant is Hao Bingxin, the Magnificent Star, hmph, hmph!” Hao Bingxin raised her head, arrogant like a lion.

Su Xing looked to Ye Futu.

”If Brother Su is interested in meeting, then that is naturally This Ye's honor.” Ye Futu smiled. ”Regardless of the victor in the third game, This Ye ought to introduce her.”

”What shall we bet for the third game? I just happen to be bored.” Su Xing asked.

As they spoke, they each sat down. Ye Futu first tidied the disintegrated hall, and then he called for someone to go fetch a table. This time, it was a long table. The two of them faced each other, and this time, Gong Caiwei stood behind Su Xing.

”Since ancient times, gambling has constantly changed forms. However, even with those changes, the core essence remained the same. Whatever the change, that was merely on the outside. Today, I do not wish to play with these boring styles. What I want is the most primordial Nine Palaces Array. How about the Nine Palaces bet?” Ye Futu's eyes contained a profound intent.

”Nine Palaces Array?” Su Xing had never heard of this.

”You truly are unsophisticated, to have not even heard of this.” Ye Lingxi finally grabbed onto an opportunity to look down on him. The so-called Nine Palaces Array was one of Liangshan Continent's very mainstream gambling methods. That was to arrange nine pavilions, placing in them nine red and black blocks. Guessing correctly won the bet.

The rules were very simple, the explanation very easy. In actuality, the Nine Palaces Array was one of the most difficult types of betting, and the reason was precisely because it was so simple. It was simple to the point that it completely lacked meaningful and varied data and material for you to calculate and analyze.

You could only rely on intuition about the atmosphere. Gambling skill also relied on luck to win, it could be said, and to Su Xing, the type of gambler that used calculations, this happened to be his greatest weakness.

Of course, this was the most original and most fair to both sides.

Su Xing was pensive. He used three fingers to tap the desk. He had just finished tapping when nine porcelain bowl-like palaces appeared on the table.

Then, Ye Futu placed the red and black blocks into the nine palaces. Of course, Su Xing could not have known which, and the Nine Palaces had a special array. It was incapable of being seen through, meaning, other than Ye Futu himself, no one else would know under which of the pavilions the red and black blocks were positioned.

Looking at Su Xing, his right hand stretched level, unfolded and drew one character in front of him, ”Please speak. You only need to guess half correctly.”

From the very start, there was no psychology to analyze, just a simple red and black differentiation, so Su Xing did not think too much at all. Without any expression or any hesitation, he guessed the first was black.

”Your luck seems to be a bit bad.” Ye Futu smiled and said as the first of the nine palaces was revealed. Inside, there was a red block. ”The first was a mistake. It looks like this is not a good sign.”

At the same time he spoke, the casino's grandeur began to progress as Ye Futu anticipated.

This was the psychological warfare that Su Xing was familiar with, using speech to disturb the enemy's reasoning. This move was very familiar to him, so he did not mind this at all. He sat upright in his chair and said: ”In all his life, a person needs only to be correct ten times in a row to already be unequalled in the world. What is so amazing about one mistake.”

Su Xing's words made Ye Futu smile, ”It appears I should address Brother Su as Senior. Please name the second.”

This round, Su Xing did not decide so quickly. He began to ponder, but after considering for a long while, he apparently did not obtain a result. The reason was very simple. The ways he could choose were honestly too few. It was either red or black. Any more accurate calculation and speculation, in this world of black and red, appeared to be of no avail.

Furthermore, this was something arranged beforehand. There absolutely could not be any cheating. Even if Su Xing's Divine Intent was any stronger, he could not possibly see through this.

During this time, if he wanted to accurately know just what color was under the porcelain bowls, there was only one way, and that was to see into Ye Futu's mind, to make this master that had set up the game of chance tell you the answers. This made Su Xing recall the bet he made that day with Ye Lingxi. He had similarly used a mind trick, but he did not expect Ye Futu to return the favor.

Interesting.

However, despite his interest, guessing the red and black blocks still gave Su Xing a headache. In battle, he could exploit his target's attack movements, their rhythm, tone, and other aspects to advance his judgment in all aspects. However, once at the betting table, especially against this shrewd Ye Futu, Su Xing found that his understanding of his opponent was no different from a stranger – he completely did not know what Ye Futu was thinking of.

And this Ye Futu from start to finish wore an unfathomable smile. It seemed he would not leave a gap.

In such a blank state, Su Xing shook his head. The direction he pushed towards was still black.

This kind of bet appeared exceedingly innocuous. Even the most average gambler would play like this, however, at this very moment, Su Xing could only do so. Even if this move made him feel gloomy.

”The truth is painful, but the truth is the truth.” Ye Futu was expressionless as before when he opened the bowl. The block inside was a flaming red.

Su Xing solently looked at the second red block, not saying anything for the longest time.

This time, Su Xing's expression became one of knowing. He nodded.

”Gamblers can be divided into two types. One type bets according to science and logic, the other bets according to feeling. It seems Brother Su is the former. However, betting on feeling is certainly not a good portent.” Ye Futu smiled. Furthermore, Su Xing could not possibly permit himself to act according to his impulses.

On Ye Futu's evaluation, Su Xing did not say anything. When guessing the third, he ought to select red, but Su Xing did not have such an urge. He selected the other path.

Again, he selected all black.

The third bowl opened to reveal another red. At this time, Ye Lingxi's dejected expression was ecstatic, her eyes glowing.

You are just a rookie after all, hm, hm, Elder Brother had deliberately lost those two games just now, definitely.

The fourth bowl was still black.

The result was shocking again, still red.

If it was not for her Elder Brother losing twice before, Ye Lingxi very much wanted to ridicule him without restraint. Now, Su Xing had already guessed 4. Another one wrong, and he would lose.

Now, Gong Caiwei was somewhat impatient, and she inquired Zhu Sha.

The Resourceful Strategist's stone-like face appeared to see through the mundane world. Not saying anything, her gaze was already aimed on Su Xing.

”Guess another one, and you will lose. Still black, correct? This, you will win.” Ye Futu seemed to be saying a very simple thing.

”Well spoken.” Su Xing looked and shrugged his shoulders. He somewhat dully said: ”All black! Open the rest together. Don't waste time.” Like a shattered pot, if each and every one of those was opened, then the chance that the bowls were black or red was half.

But for the six bowls to all be black, the probability was low at twenty percent.

This was a simple application of probability. It did not appear too brilliant, but under the current situation, this was the best path Su Xing could find according to the logic he reflected over.

But this logic had a fatal flaw. This was that he could lose on any one of the next five bowls. Ye Lingxi had never seen such an unbelievable betting style. She thought that he finally was about to lose to her big brother.

If they were opened one by one, he would still have a chance. Opening all five together, this was apparently a dead end.

But the result was outside of everyone's expectations.

They were surprisingly all black.

Without exception.

The smile on Ye Lingxi's face vanished. Immediately, she was flabbergasted, shocked beyond words.

”Huh?????”

Ye Lingxi wanted to scream, this was too unfair.

”It appears that luck is on my side.” Su Xing smiled.

Ye Futu could not smile. He merely sighed – Up until the end, he had never swayed Su Xing's thinking. He had originally thought to use the first four reds to confuse him.

”Elder Brother, what were you doing??” Ye Lingxi screamed.

”Nothing, I lost.” Ye Futu narrowed his eyes.