I Bet on Myself to Win

"The contestant on my left is surely familiar to everyone. He's the super genius who invented the irrigation waterwheel—Xian He! Although he's only a Two-star Azure Obsidian martial artist, he deserves credit for having the courage to enter the Azure Light Competition and step into the ring!" the host declared passionately.

After hearing the host's introduction, Yan Dong breathed a sigh of relief.

So what if Xian He had eaten a fried egg? The difference in their strength was like heaven and earth. At most, it would take two slaps to end the fight.

The host continued, "The contestant on my right may not be familiar to many of you, but Yan Dong is extremely powerful. He's a White Obsidian Three Star martial artist who has mastered a special technique called Iron Sand Palm. He once smashed the skull of a Fox Bear monster with a single palm strike."

"Bet on Xian He to win, and you'll get ten to one. Bet on Yan Dong to win, and you'll get one point one to one. Let the betting—begin!"

The Azure Light Competition was so popular among the clansfolk because they could bet money on the matches.

As soon as the host called for the betting to begin, the spectators flooded toward the betting tables. Almost everyone bet on Yan Dong to win.

The odds weren't great, but something was better than nothing.

"A Two-star Azure Obsidian against a White Obsidian Three Star? Even a fool knows who'll win."

"Did that explosive he's been researching blow his brains out? Fighting a White Obsidian Three Star is just asking to die!"

"Too bad for that sweet girl, Yun Ling. They haven't even been married a week, and she's already going to be a widow."

"Go in peace, Xian He. I'll take care of Yun Ling for you."

The gamblers all discussed the match, and none of them thought Xian He stood a chance.

"Referee, can I place a bet too?" Xian He suddenly raised his hand and asked.

The host paused, then nodded. "Sure, go ahead!"

With everyone watching, Xian He untied the money pouch from his waistband and set it on the betting table. He declared loudly, "There are two thousand Copper Coins in here. I'm betting on myself to win!"

"Have you gone mad?"

"How can a Two-star Azure Obsidian beat a White Obsidian Three Star? With your imagination?"

"Idiot. You could've kept that money to pay for your treatment. Why give it away to the house?"

"Xian He, think it through. Once you press your fingerprint, the bet is binding! You won't get those two thousand Copper Coins back!"

Some gamblers mocked him, while others expressed concern. They couldn't understand why Xian He would do something so foolish.

Xian He paid them no mind. He took the bet slip, tucked it into his clothes, and strolled back to the ring.

The gamblers and spectators exchanged bewildered looks.

In the stands.

"Boss, should we place a bet too?" Li Zhen asked tentatively.

Xiao Yang shook his head. "There's risk in gambling, so be careful when you bet. We don't know enough yet, so we shouldn't bet recklessly."

Although he could tell that Xian He was a White Obsidian-level martial artist, he couldn't determine his exact cultivation. If he bet without thinking, he might lose even the clothes off his back.

If Xian He's strength had already surpassed Li Zhen's, then Xiao Yang would have to step into the ring and deal with him personally.

No matter how strong Xian He was, he was still only a White Obsidian-level martial artist. Xiao Yang was a Yellow Radiance Two Stars martial artist, and he could crush him without a doubt.

In the ring.

Xian He took his position again, a relaxed smile on his face.

"I'll give you one last chance. Surrender. You can't possibly beat me!" Yan Dong said coldly, staring at Xian He without blinking.

Spending two thousand bucks to get beaten up? Yan Dong suspected Yun Ling had sat on Xian He's head and broken his brain.

"I've bet everything I own, so there's no way I'm surrendering. Stop nagging me. You're annoying!" Xian He said impatiently. "Show me everything you've got. I won't hold back."

Yan Dong snorted, his expression darkening. "There's no point trying to reason with someone determined to die. If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"

"Good! Betting time is over!" the host shouted, his voice cracking like thunder. "Now the two contestants will play rock-paper-scissors to decide who strikes first."

Statistics showed that most people chose scissors on their first turn.

So Xian He decided to throw rock.

Yan Dong threw paper.

At this, the spectators below the ring all began to worry for Xian He.

"Xian He's going to get knocked flat with one slap!"

"Yan Dong is six hundred pounds stronger than Xian He. One slap can inflict three levels of external injuries. Xian He can take two slaps at most."

"Don't forget, Yan Dong can reinforce his strikes with true qi and inflict Level Three acupoint blockage. Even if Xian He can take the first slap, there's no way he'll withstand the second."

The host cleared his throat and announced, "All right, the game is over! Yan Dong goes first. Xian He, take your position."

Xian He braced himself against the table, closed his eyes, and stood at attention.

Yan Dong raised his arm and brought his palm close to Xian He's face, lining up the perfect spot to strike.

The spectators below the ring held their breath. The girls were so frightened that they covered their eyes.

"Smack!"

A sharp sound rang out, echoing around the ring in an instant.

[ Ding! The host's head has been attacked. The Thirteen Grand Protectors Horizontal Training Technique's damage reduction effect has activated. Physical damage from enemies will be reduced by ten percent for the next incense stick's worth of time. ]

Yan Dong might've been short, but he packed a punch. He swung his arm in a full arc and slapped Xian He so hard that he inflicted Level Two acupoint blockage. Xian He's left cheek went numb in an instant.