【Aolai Kingdom National Security Bureau solemnly warns—】
【All residents are asked to keep an eye out for two unknown creatures cloaked in black robes. These creatures landed on the southeastern coast, and wherever they passed, large amounts of gold and silver treasures vanished mysteriously. Experts speculate that these creatures might be Pixiu in human form.】
【(Sketch of the black-robed creatures here)】
“…” Jiang Ke’er looked at the large announcement covering the notice board and decisively took off her black robe.
“I told you not to be so unrestrained,” Qiao Xiaoxian said, half-laughing, half-crying.
“Now look what happened, you’ve been mistaken for a Tianlu beast that specializes in devouring gold and silver…”
This matter would likely become an unsolved mystery in Aolai Kingdom for thousands of years.
Jiang Ke’er didn’t take it to heart; she still decided to steal when the opportunity arose.
Both Jiang Ke’er and Qiao Xiaoxian had new looks now. Jiang Ke’er had transformed from a yellow-furred fox in Beiju Luzhou to a white-furred fox, which was already a huge change.
Moreover, Qiao Xiaoxian had helped her braid her hair slightly and cover her face shape, making her originally messy, basket-like fur clean and neat.
Even if those sect venerables from before were to pass by her, it would be difficult for them to recognize her immediately.
Qiao Xiaoxian, on the other hand, had slightly altered her appearance, maintaining her beauty while making her demeanor a bit more sharp.
That arrogant, assertive, youthful look, combined with her exquisite face… even Jiang Ke’er occasionally felt her heart skip a beat, not daring to meet those full-of-awe eyes.
“Where did you learn your disguise techniques?” Jiang Ke’er asked casually.
“They’re absolutely amazing.”
“Master Ya taught me,” Qiao Xiaoxian replied.
“Master Ya?” Jiang Ke’er was surprised.
“A master named Ya? Can you ask her to teach me sometime too?”
“You can’t meet Master Ya; that was a unique encounter I had when I was little,” Qiao Xiaoxian smiled, her gaze filled with deep respect.
“Besides Master Ya, there’s also Master Chang; they are both incredibly powerful reclusive masters… but you won’t be able to see them.”
“Are they dead?”
“More or less,” Qiao Xiaoxian said.
Good thing they’re dead!
Jiang Ke’er secretly rejoiced in her heart… if Qiao Xiaoxian always had such powerful masters, she herself would never have a chance to turn things around.
Walking on the streets of Aolai Kingdom, Jiang Ke’er continued to look around, both searching for suitable targets and learning about the local customs of Aolai Kingdom.
Aolai Kingdom was a small country, a very, very small coastal nation.
Despite its small size, Aolai Kingdom was actually incredibly rich.
Merchants and magnates from all walks of life gathered here to enjoy the ultimate worldly pleasures—eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and smoking.
Aolai Kingdom could be called the Las Vegas of Dongsheng Shenzhou; its streets and alleys were filled with casinos, luxurious restaurants, and legitimate entertainment venues.
The largest and most authoritative casino in the entire Shenzhou—the Gods’ Retirement Home—was located here.
There were rumors that it was a casino established by a group of retired immortals who were bored and had nothing to do, just to pass their mundane retirement time… and they accidentally became the world’s number one.
Jiang Ke’er looked up in confusion, gazing at the tall, prominent sign of the Gods’ Retirement Home.
“Why are we here? Do you think I have too much money?” Jiang Ke’er glared at Qiao Xiaoxian, fuming. “You don’t need to go this far just to trick me out of my money!”
“Look here,” Qiao Xiaoxian motioned with her chin towards the notice board at the entrance.
【The 768th Gambling God Convention at the Gods’ Retirement Home is now open for registration!】
【Third Prize: 100,000 Demonic Crystals.】
【Second Prize: 300,000 Demonic Crystals.】
【First Prize: 1,000,000 Demonic Crystals.】
【Grand Prize: Two free entry passes to the Ancient Realm of Scholarly Inquiry.】
“You want the Grand Prize?” Jiang Ke’er understood.
Qiao Xiaoxian nodded.
“These are free entry passes, extremely precious. Most entrants to the Ancient Realm of Scholarly Inquiry need guarantees and recommendations from major sects to enter. But with these tickets, you can skip the identity verification process, and your identity won’t be questioned upon entry.”
Jiang Ke’er looked at the notice board and smiled.
“What a coincidence, it’s exactly two passes.”
“For hundreds of years, the Gods’ Retirement Home has always awarded two tickets because gamblers have many enemies, and without an experienced guard, they usually don’t last long inside,” Qiao Xiaoxian explained.
“But where do you get the confidence that we can win the grand prize?” Jiang Ke’er looked at Qiao Xiaoxian as if she were an idiot.
“With your strength.” Qiao Xiaoxian pushed Jiang Ke’er forward.
“Hey, hey, hey? Me, participate?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Ke’er looked at the registration desk.
The people there came in all shapes and sizes; some had scarred eyes, missing limbs, and looked fierce, clearly seasoned gamblers.
Others had an otherworldly, elegant air, like reclusive masters, or gambling gods reincarnated.
Whichever group, they were clearly not easy to deal with.
Although she had Sleight of Hand, in such a mixed place, if someone saw through her, it would cause big trouble.
But fortune favors the bold, fortune favors the bold… wait, how many times has she been led astray by that saying?
Forget it, fortune favors the bold!
She was never one to be indecisive or wishy-washy… except for that one time with Qiao Xiaoxian.
So, she puffed out her chest and walked towards the registration desk.
“A demon race?”
Seeing her approach, the people around the registration desk scattered, their expressions complex.
They clearly didn’t welcome her; if it weren’t for her cuteness, they would have already cursed at her.
Although Dongsheng Shenzhou didn’t implement the same high-pressure policy of eradication against the demon race as Beiju Luzhou, human prejudice against demons still existed.
Jiang Ke’er immediately became furious.
She stepped forward and slammed the table: “I! Jiang Ke’er! A demon! I’m registering!”
A buzz of discussion immediately arose from the surroundings, nothing but comments like “What’s this foolish demon race doing here, stirring up trouble?” or “Where did this nouveau riche stupid dog demon come from, thinking they have too much money?”
Jiang Ke’er’s face remained cold; she didn’t respond.
The clerk behind the registration desk, however, carried on as usual, recording Jiang Ke’er’s registration information, collecting her fee, and giving her a few uniquely shaped small chips.
The clerk was clearly experienced and not as surprised as the bystanders.
Taking the chips, Jiang Ke’er turned and walked away.
“Remember to come back tomorrow for the competition,” the clerk suddenly reminded her.
“The competition lasts for a month, starting at dawn tomorrow. Once you’re in, you can’t leave… eat well tonight.”
Lasts for a month? Can only go in, not out?
What kind of competition was this?
Jiang Ke’er was secretly alarmed.
“This competition isn’t what you think… listen to her, eat well tonight,” Qiao Xiaoxian said, then turned and led Jiang Ke’er towards the market district.
In reality, Qiao Xiaoxian didn’t have much confidence in Jiang Ke’er.
It was just that she recalled those scenes outside the Dragon Vein, where Jiang Ke’er, with her delicate mortal body, had audaciously toyed with venerables and the three major sects in the palm of her hand… even though every wrong step could lead to eternal damnation, she still fearlessly completed her plan, weakening the power of the three major sects to the extreme!
Perhaps there were many accidental coincidences… but what courage was that? What strong psychological fortitude and quick-witted adaptability?
Such a feat made her incredibly curious, wanting to see how many more surprises Jiang Ke’er could bring her.
Luck, wisdom, skill, courage.
Jiang Ke’er, she wondered if this competition could push you to your limit.
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