"If you hadn't intervened today, my Lin family would likely have perished!"
Lin Miaoke stated directly, "From now on, Mr. Lu is a great benefactor to my Lin family, and we will never forget your kindness!"
Lu Fan shrugged, a wry smile on his face, finding the words somewhat uncomfortable.
"In truth, you don't need to thank me!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "If you hadn't guided me, I might not have known how to reach Baishui City from within the Qingyuan Mountain Range!"
"Regardless, it was Mr. Lu who helped me!"
Lin Miaoke said frankly, "Is there anything else Mr. Lu needs help with? The Lin family will spare no effort!"
"Actually, I do have a humble request!"
With a serious look in his eyes, Lu Fan stated directly, "I need ten taels of silver. I wonder if that's acceptable? If not, just pretend I didn't say anything!"
"Ten taels of silver?"
Uncle Biao's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately burst into laughter. "That's as easy as lifting a hand. If Mr. Lu doesn't mind, I can get it for you right now!"
Uncle Biao produced a piece of silver and said, "With Mr. Lu's skills, no matter what he does, he'll be valuable. Let alone ten taels of silver, even a thousand or ten thousand taels would be no problem!"
Lu Fan accepted the ten taels of silver and cupped his fists. "Thank you. These ten taels of silver are very important to me!"
"True cultivators don't seem to care about silver!"
Lin Miaoke remarked, "Moreover, in the cultivation world, the true currency of transaction is spirit stones. However, you seem to have a particular fondness for silver!"
"Naturally. I owe someone ten taels of silver,"
Lu Fan nodded. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be so concerned."
"I see!"
Lin Miaoke suddenly understood, and said no more. It made sense why Lu Fan had asked if the Lin family needed guards earlier – it was all for the silver.
After leaving the Qingyuan Mountain Range, they parted ways. Lu Fan followed the map's directions towards Baishui City. Once he repaid the silver, he intended to go on a trial and also search for Long Yi and the others.
He wondered where Long Yi and the others had gone, and if they were doing well.
Baishui City was located at the northernmost tip of the Bailong Dynasty, merely a tiny corner of it. Many people didn't even know of its existence.
However, within Baishui City, traffic was heavy and the flow of people was endless. Lu Fan could sense the presence of many powerful individuals.
"Is this Baishui City?"
Lin Ke exclaimed, "I really couldn't tell. It's quite grand!"
"The cities in the Spirit Realm are indeed quite prosperous!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Compared to our Earth, they are much better!"
"It's definitely much better than Earth!"
Lin Ke stated, "However, the killing intent in this Spirit Realm is too strong. I don't like it!"
"It's alright. Once you recover your true form, we can go back to Earth to live!"
Lu Fan smiled. "After all, coming to the Spirit Realm this time was for a specific purpose!"
Lin Ke nodded slightly, saying nothing more. In truth, he felt quite content to remain hidden within the Tai Xu Sword, accompanying Lu Fan.
"The Five-Star Arena is starting its matches! Everyone, come and place your bets!"
A shout rang out, and everyone in Baishui City began heading towards the arena at great speed, as if something significant was about to happen.
At that very moment, on an arena not far away, stood two men. They held weapons and were preparing to duel. Many people below were placing bets, their excitement growing as they held spirit stones.
"What's going on here?"
Lu Fan stood to the side, feeling rather curious.
"Young man, who do you think will win, the fat one or the skinny one?"
An old man spoke, looking towards Lu Fan.
"It should be the skinny one!"
Lu Fan replied, "I see that although he's lean, his overall aura is slightly stronger!"
"In that case, I'll bet on the skinny one this time!"
After saying that, the old man placed a hundred spirit stones, appearing quite generous. Spirit stones were quite precious in the Spirit Realm, and a hundred was a considerable amount.
"Old Zhao, are you sure about betting a hundred spirit stones?"
A man spoke, "That fat guy is huge. Dealing with the skinny one will be as easy as blowing him away. Everyone else is betting on that side, but you're going against the grain."
"I think the skinny one will win!"
Old Zhao said with conviction. "Besides, in the Five-Star Arena, life and death are determined by fate. Since I've placed my bet, there should be no issue."
The man didn't say much more. As Old Zhao had said, once a bet was placed, one had no right to interfere.
Lu Fan stood aside, observing silently. He now realized that the Five-Star Arena was simply a casino, but one where people gambled on the strength of two individuals.
Arenas like this were quite interesting. It was a pity Lu Fan had no spirit stones, otherwise, he would have joined in the fun.
After a moment, the two men on stage immediately began fighting. Although the fat man appeared sturdy, he was ultimately defeated. This caused many outside the Five-Star Arena to cry out, with some even suspecting foul play.
However, the rules of the Five-Star Arena were strict, and they generally wouldn't engage in cheating.
"I won, I won!"
Old Zhao's face was filled with joy, and he was quite excited. This was all his savings, and now he had recouped his losses, which made him very pleased.
"Young man, you advised me just now. Otherwise, I would have lost everything!" Old Zhao said, taking out ten spirit stones. "Consider these ten spirit stones my reward!"
"I was just speaking casually!"
Lu Fan said awkwardly. "I didn't know it would actually come true!"
"Even though you said it casually, you helped me win these ten spirit stones. You must accept them!"
Old Zhao said with a serious expression. He was a man of gambling integrity and knew the importance of sharing.
"Then thank you!"
Lu Fan smiled awkwardly and took the spirit stones. In the Spirit Realm, having a few spirit stones wasn't a bad thing.
After all, spirit stones were far more valuable than gold and jewels. If he ever ran out of money for food, he might be able to exchange these spirit stones.
"Excuse me, sir, I'd like to ask where the Bai family in Baishui City is located?"
Lu Fan's expression was serious as he looked at the old man.
"It's right in the center of Baishui City!"
Old Zhao replied. "Why are you going to the Bai family? The Bai family is a prominent household. Don't tell me you've taken a liking to their young lady? If so, there's no hope!"
"Of course not!"
Lu Fan smiled sheepishly. "I'm just going to return money. I owe the young lady of the Bai family ten taels of silver, and I wouldn't dare to be negligent!"
"Would the Bai family care about ten taels of silver!"
Old Zhao waved his hand. "However, to have received money from Miss Bai, you're quite something!"