The female disciples of the Hehuan Sect before him were all stunningly beautiful, beyond any man's control.
However, Chen Jiuyang knew this was a transaction with the Hehuan Sect.
Tomorrow, when the big players opened their external betting pools, the Hehuan Sect would likely target a specific outcome, much like Duan Shengde, aiming to make a massive profit.
The demonic path was treacherous, and Chen Jiuyang had no prior dealings with the Hehuan Sect. The risk was simply too high.
Chen Jiuyang hesitated for a moment: "One does not receive rewards without merit. Elder Le, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I am currently injured. I don't know what my condition will be for tomorrow's match. While beautiful women are indeed appealing, I am not fortunate enough to enjoy them. Please forgive my refusal."
Le Musi's smile remained: "It seems the disciples I brought are not to your liking, Young Master Chen. It's alright; my Hehuan Sect will contact you again in the future."
"Young Master Chen can also inform me in advance which type of beauty you prefer. My Hehuan Sect boasts a multitude of beauties; there will surely be one that catches your eye."
"Uh..." Chen Jiuyang found Le Musi to be quite persistent. He simply pulled his hand away, cupped his fists, and said, "Let's discuss it another time."
"Uncle Fang, see our guest out."
With that, Chen Jiuyang turned and returned to his courtyard.
Fang Bahua said, "Elder Le, please."
Le Musi, smiling, led the group of alluring female disciples from the Hehuan Sect behind her out of Chen Jiuyang's courtyard.
Immediately, the smile on Le Musi's face gradually faded: "Since Chen Jiuyang refuses our Hehuan Sect's goodwill, it seems we must resort to some subtle maneuvers against him."
"If he will not serve my Hehuan Sect, then he shall become our furnace and cauldron."
"His pure Yang true blood is truly tantalizing to me; it's a great tonic."
Le Musi, with her disciples, slowly proceeded to the next household.
The female disciples of the Hehuan Sect primarily practiced seductive arts, absorbing men's vital essence to empower themselves, making them undeniable practitioners of the demonic path.
Chen Jiuyang was unaware that the matter of his receiving several groups of visitors had been relayed word-for-word to Elder Han.
Elder Han sneered: "Those shameless, seductive vixen from the Hehuan Sect dare to set their sights on Chen Jiuyang? They court death!"
"To be so audacious on my Han clan's territory. Old Cripple, go and warn them."
"Yes, Elder." Old Cripple chuckled, cupped his fists, and turned to leave.
Granny Hui commented: "Young Master Chen's performance today seems quite good; he can withstand the test of wealth and beauty."
"The seductive arts of the Hehuan Sect are ranked first even among our Sacred Dao; there is almost no man who can resist their allure."
"Le Musi brought one hundred and eight female disciples to visit my Han clan. Ostensibly to witness our Han clan's Holy Maiden, but in reality, to find cauldrons for her disciples. By the end of the day, eighty female disciples had already been sent out, but she was thwarted by Young Master Chen, failing to send anyone away."
"Young Master Chen's ability to resist temptation is truly commendable."
Elder Han nodded slowly: "Actually, this matter is not without its merits. If Chen Jiuyang were to take in a disciple from the Hehuan Sect, she would be slain by Yi Han's sword once Yi Han emerges from seclusion. However, his resistance to the seductive arts and his steadfast character are indeed excellent, making our Han clan's investment in cultivating him worthwhile."
"Although Chen Jiuyang is lustful, he acts with a certain order and doesn't act recklessly. He is only twenty-three years old, at the age when desires are strongest. If he truly has needs, select two beautiful young women from our Han clan and send them to him."
"But tell him that while intimacy is permissible, he must not squander his innate talent. He must maintain his boundaries, lest he be swayed by lust and become someone's cauldron, a resource for another's cultivation."
The demonic path operates without scruples, respecting only strength.
Granny Hui reviewed Chen Jiuyang's file. This young man possessed exceptional talent, but having grown up in the countryside as a commoner, he had barely encountered anyone from the demonic path.
There was a fear he might be harmed.
Chen Jiuyang was Qiu Yihan's tribulation. Killing him would be simple, but his talent was extraordinary, possessing the potential of a peerless genius, and he was also the young master of the Shu Mountain Chen family. Bringing him back to the Han clan meant she naturally had to consider certain matters from the perspective of the Han clan and Qiu Yihan's interests.
"Yes, Elder," Granny Hui replied, nodding in agreement.
Inwardly, she was quite surprised. Elder Han valued Chen Jiuyang so highly that she was willing to proactively offer women from the Han clan to warm his bed. Even if Qiu Yihan were to find out, she would likely not be displeased.
Returning to his room to continue refining elixirs, Chen Jiuyang only emerged late at night, preparing to rest.
He discovered two young women with fair skin and exceptional beauty lying on his bed.
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang's handsome figure, these two young women blushed, appearing incredibly shy.
Chen Jiuyang's expression froze. What was going on?
Who sent them? There must be a trap!
Granny Hui's voice sounded from outside the door: "Young Master Chen, these two women are members of my Han clan. The Elder instructed that you should not accept women from the Hehuan Sect. If you desire intimacy, my Han clan can satisfy you."
Chen Jiuyang's face twitched. His Three Revolutions Pure Yang was at a critical juncture. How could he expend excess vital blood on women and indulge in carnal pleasures?
Indulging in fleeting intimacy could cost him his life.
Furthermore, he had already been somewhat susceptible to the seductive arts of the Hehuan Sect.
He gritted his teeth: "Granny Hui, please convey my thanks to the Elder for her kind intentions, but I am injured and unable to indulge. Please take them away."
Wait until my Three Revolutions Pure Yang is complete. Then, you can send not two, but ten or even twenty, and I will accept them.
Granny Hui pushed open the door, a smile on her face: "Young Master Chen's Dao heart is firm; why worry about not achieving great things? You truly do not disappoint the Holy Maiden's trust and cultivation of you."
With that, she led the two delicate Han clan women away.
Chen Jiuyang sighed to the heavens, washed up, and lay down to sleep.
The next morning, Chen Jiuyang rose with renewed vigor. After consuming the medicinal cuisine prepared by Granny Hui, a maid led him to the area of the competition arena for the Thirty-Two Heavenly Stems.
As Duan Shengde had mentioned, in addition to the betting pool opened by the Han clan, another betting pool had appeared.
Chen Jiuyang approached the unfamiliar betting pool: "I wish to place a bet."
"Mr. Chen, what would you like to bet on? Will you bet on yourself to win, or on the number of moves?"
Chen Jiuyang feigned ignorance: "The betting here is different from the Han clan's. What do you mean by 'number of moves'?"
The person in charge of the betting pool was a middle-aged beauty: "Mr. Chen, we are a betting pool opened by the thirty-six sects of the Sacred Dao, handling only high-stakes bets."
"The odds differ based on strength and the number of moves to achieve victory."
Chen Jiuyang's heart leaped with joy, but he suppressed it, saying calmly, "Do you have any relevant information? I'd like to see the odds."
"Certainly."
"Young Master Chen, please take a look."
Defeating the enemy in zero moves, odds of 1 to 20.
Defeating the enemy in two moves, odds of 1 to 9.
Defeating the enemy in three moves, odds of 1 to 8.
Chen Jiuyang's expression faltered: "What are the odds for winning in one move?"