A Desperate Gamble

On the other side.

Feng Qianyue returned to the Moonlit Tower once more.

At this moment.

The meeting inside the Moonlit Tower was still ongoing. When Feng Qianyue re-entered, a white-robed young man stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Feng Qianyue, didn’t you leave early? Why are you back?"

"Bai Ji, what I do is none of your concern."

Feng Qianyue ignored him and instead turned her gaze toward the middle-aged man seated at the head of the room.

The man was none other than the Island Master of Moonlit Island and the Sect Leader of Moonlit Sect—Xu Zhu.

"Master, Qianyue has a request to make."

Feng Qianyue clasped her jade-like hands and bowed her head as she spoke.

"Speak your mind," Xu Zhu said faintly, his eyes flickering slightly.

"An old friend of mine has arrived on the island. He wishes to undergo the Death Inheritance. I humbly ask for your approval," Feng Qianyue said softly.

Hearing this.

Xu Zhu’s brows immediately furrowed.

After a long pause, Xu Zhu said in a low voice, "Qianyue, if it’s just an ordinary friend, you should decline. You understand the secrets tied between the Death Inheritance and our Moonlit Island. We no longer open it to outsiders."

"Master, I understand what you’re saying, but I still wish to make this request," Feng Qianyue said, bowing deeply.

Xu Zhu watched her, his frown deepening.

"Hmph, Feng Qianyue, Master has already made it clear—the Death Inheritance is no longer open to outsiders. How dare you pressure him like this?"

At this moment, Bai Ji stepped forward and said coldly, "You know full well that the Death Inheritance is tied to the fate of Moonlit Island. Every time someone fails the inheritance, our island’s fortune diminishes. Once, Moonlit Island stood as one of the overlords of the Heavenly Domain. But now, we’ve fallen to this state—all because of the Death Inheritance."

"In the past, we didn’t understand the consequences, allowing countless outsiders to attempt the inheritance and drain our fortune. But now that we know the truth, how could Master possibly agree to such an absurd request?"

"For a hundred years, there have been no exceptions. And today will be no different—not even for you!"

"Bai Ji, Master is here. It’s not your place to speak," Feng Qianyue snapped, her face darkening. She then turned back to Xu Zhu and pleaded earnestly, "Master, I only ask for this one exception. Please, consider all the years I’ve devoted to Moonlit Island and grant me this one favor."

With that, she dropped to one knee, hands clasped in reverence.

At the head of the room.

Xu Zhu’s expression remained unreadable, showing no hint of emotion.

His fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, the sound echoing through the silent hall. His sharp gaze shifted between her and Bai Ji.

After a long silence.

He finally spoke in a measured tone, "The Death Inheritance doesn’t concern just one person—it concerns the entire Moonlit Island."

"I am old. The future belongs to you."

"The fate of Moonlit Island lies in your hands."

"And since the two of you are candidates for the next Island Master, this matter shall be left to your own judgment."

Having said this.

He gave Feng Qianyue an apologetic glance before closing his eyes.

It wasn’t that he enjoyed watching the two of them clash.

But with the Black Domain pressing in and the Heavenly Domain growing ever more perilous, only the most capable could shoulder the responsibility of leading Moonlit Island in the future.

Raising contenders like nurturing venomous insects—only the strongest would earn the right to become Island Master and guide Moonlit Island to survival in these treacherous times.

Xu Zhu’s words left Feng Qianyue’s face ashen with fury.

By passing the decision to her and Bai Ji, he had effectively denied her request.

After all.

Why would Bai Ji ever grant her wish?

Sure enough.

A smug grin spread across Bai Ji’s face.

He looked utterly triumphant.

"Feng Qianyue, let this matter rest. I will never agree to such a foolish demand," Bai Ji sneered.

Feng Qianyue’s face darkened with rage.

She had promised the senior this favor—and right now, he was waiting for her in the pavilion.

If she returned now and told him it was impossible…

She raised her beautiful eyes, biting her red lips as she glared at Bai Ji’s triumphant expression. Coldly, she asked, "Tell me. What will it take for you to agree?"

"I have no interest in you," Bai Ji mocked, clearly relishing her distress.

"If the inheritance fails and Moonlit Island’s fortune diminishes, I will voluntarily withdraw from the Island Master succession. How does that sound?" Feng Qianyue gritted her teeth as she spoke.

Bai Ji, who had been dismissive before, suddenly widened his eyes in shock.

The hall erupted in murmurs.

Even Xu Zhu, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened them at once, his gaze filled with complexity as he looked down at Feng Qianyue.

But he did not intervene.

After all, this was her own choice.

"Do you mean that?" Bai Ji’s voice trembled with excitement at her offer.

He had never intended to agree to her request.

But who could have predicted she would stake something so valuable?

"My word is my bond," Feng Qianyue declared, her voice unwavering despite the deathly grip of her clenched fists hidden in her sleeves.

This was an incredibly risky move.

If Yi Feng failed, she wouldn’t just lose her chance at becoming Island Master—with his death, any goodwill between them would vanish like foam on water.

To outsiders, Feng Qianyue’s decision was nothing short of foolish.

A gamble with no chance of success.

"Fine. I agree. Seven days from now, I’ll personally escort him into the inheritance," Bai Ji sneered, sealing the deal.

His acceptance was no surprise to Feng Qianyue. She nodded, then glanced once more at Xu Zhu at the head of the room…

For a long moment, she hesitated, words caught in her throat…

In the end, she said nothing and turned to leave.

She understood her master’s good intentions—his difficult choices for the sake of Moonlit Island.

But no matter what, today… he had shown bias toward Bai Ji.