A High-Stakes Gamble on the Earth Tiger, Betting Everything

When Yun Tian returned to the waiting area, the expression on his face made Tang San and Xiao Wu rise to their feet at the same time.

"Brother Yun, did you sign up?" Xiao Wu came over. "What level are you fighting?"

"A five-ring Soul King. Fighting above my rank." Yun Tian said it casually, as if he were merely discussing what to have for dinner.

The waiting area instantly fell silent.

The sausage in Ma Hongjun's mouth dropped to the floor and rolled twice. Oscar froze in midair while holding half a recovery sausage, and Ning Rongrong's little fan snapped shut.

Dai Mubai's brows furrowed into a knot, while Zhu Zhuqing's catlike eyes narrowed slightly.

"A five-ring Soul King?" Ma Hongjun's eyes widened. "Brother Yun, are you crazy? The gap between a Soul King and a Soul Ancestor isn't just a few levels of soul power. It's a qualitative difference!"

"I know." Yun Tian sat down in a chair and took a sip of water. "I know what I'm doing."

The others still wanted to persuade him, but Tang San spoke first. "He's never done anything he wasn't confident in. If he dared to sign up, then he believes he can win."

Tang San had traveled alongside Yun Tian for six years. More than anyone present, he understood his elder brother's temperament.

Behind every seemingly impulsive act was a calm judgment. That was Yun Tian's style.

Xiao Wu nodded as well. Although there was still a trace of worry on her face, there was even more trust.

"Not only am I going to win." Yun Tian set down his cup, the corner of his mouth curling upward. "I'm going to make us rich. How much money do you all have?"

"Huh?" Ma Hongjun froze.

"The spirit arena opened betting odds. My odds are high, while the other Soul King's are low," Yun Tian said. "Because no one thinks a four-ring Soul Ancestor can defeat a five-ring Soul King. But I know I can win."

His gaze swept across everyone present. "Those who believe in me, bring out your entire fortune and bet on me to win."

He stood and pulled a heavy money pouch from his clothes, setting it on the table.

When the pouch was opened, gold soul coins and several high-value soul coin notes spilled out. At a rough glance, there were at least ten thousand gold soul coins' worth.

It was all the savings he had accumulated over six years from auctioning earth-element crystals, along with his prize money from spirit arenas across various places.

"I'm betting on myself. Everything."

The waiting area remained silent for several breaths.

Ma Hongjun was the first to move.

He turned his pockets inside out and took out all his money, shouting, "Damn it, let's do it! If we lose, we'll just consider it tuition paid to Brother Yun!"

Oscar scratched his head and pulled a cloth pouch from his clothes. It contained the savings he had accumulated over the years, along with the pocket money he had earned from selling sausages. It was not much, but there were still over a hundred gold soul coins. "I'm following Brother Yun!"

Most of it came from Spirit Hall subsidies and his business earnings, though some had to be handed over to the academy. They were poor, after all.

That was why he only had a little over a hundred gold soul coins left for himself.

Ning Rongrong opened the little purse she carried with her. Inside were the allowance given to her by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and several gold notes accepted throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, totaling more than a hundred thousand gold soul coins.

She placed the purse on the table and snorted. "This little money is still something this young lady can afford to lose. Besides, I believe in Yun Tian's judgment."

Xiao Wu and Tang San exchanged a look, then each took out their own savings.

Part of the income the three had earned during their six years of traveling had been sent back to Yun Family Village and Holy Soul Village. They brought out everything that remained. Though it could not compare to Yun Tian's fortune, it was still quite considerable.

Zhu Zhuqing silently took out a gold soul card from her clothes.

Her savings over the past six years were not much, but they still amounted to more than ten thousand gold soul coins.

Dai Mubai also took out a card from his storage ring, containing more than ten thousand gold soul coins.

Both came from wealthy families, so naturally, they were not short of money.

Zhao Wuji and Flander had appeared at the entrance to the waiting area at some point.

Zhao Wuji wore an expression that seemed to say, "Are you little brats trying to start a rebellion?" But then he grinned. "Since the whole academy has placed bets, Old Zhao will join in too."

He pulled out a money pouch and tossed it onto the table. Its weight made the table creak.

Flander pushed up his glasses and slowly pulled a neatly folded gold note from his sleeve. "My savings from half a lifetime. If I lose, this old man will have nothing but northwest wind to drink from now on."

"Dean, you're serious?" Ma Hongjun asked in shock.

"Of course. I've heard of the Earth Tiger's reputation for a long time. Do you think he can't beat a Soul King while fighting above his rank?" Flander snorted. "You little brats are still too green."

Everyone chipped in amid a flurry of chatter, and a small mountain of gold soul coins soon piled up on the table.

Yun Tian gave it a glance and estimated the total to be more than two thousand five hundred gold soul coins.

He had an idea of the amount. After gathering all the money and notes, he wrapped them in a cloth and handed them to Flander.

"Dean, please place the bets for everyone. Bet on me to win."

Flander took the bundle and weighed it in his hand, giving Yun Tian a deep look. "Don't make this old man lose even his underwear. If that happens, the academy can really declare bankruptcy on the spot."

"Don't worry." Yun Tian grinned. "Once we win, I'll treat the whole academy to a feast tonight."

Flander turned and headed for the betting windows, moving noticeably faster than usual.

That afternoon, Soto City's Great Spirit Arena was packed with noise and excitement.

The stands around Arena Two were completely full, and even the aisles were crammed with people.

The spirit arena's promotional efforts were highly effective.

"Golden Spirit Arena challenger fighting above his rank."

"Twelve-year-old four-ring Soul Ancestor versus five-ring Soul King."

"The Earth Tiger against the Iron-Palm Tyrant Bear."

These key phrases spread through Soto City as though they had grown wings. Even hunters and merchants from the outskirts crowded in to watch.

Long lines formed in front of the betting windows.

Most people placed their bets on the five-ring Soul King.

That "Iron-Palm Tyrant Bear," Shi Wei, was forty-five years old and a level fifty-two five-ring Soul King. His martial soul was the Iron-Palm Bear. He had fought in Soto City's spirit arena for twelve years, with a win rate above seventy percent. He was an old and familiar face in the local spirit fighting circles.

By comparison, although the young man carried the halo of a "Golden Spirit Arena" fighter, the success rate for Soul Ancestors challenging Soul Kings above their rank was pitifully low. The odds had reached an astonishing one to zero point four.

There was another line in front of the window for betting on Yun Tian to win, but it was far shorter.

However, the people at the front were betting with terrifying extravagance.

A tall, thin middle-aged man wearing glasses bet seven hundred gold soul coins in one go. A short, stout, muscular man bet three hundred, while several half-grown children each bet anywhere from several dozen to two hundred.

"Crazy, crazy. These people are betting on that kid to win?"

"Even a seven-ring Soul Sage bet on him. Look, that short, stout brute is Shrek's Zhao Wuji!"

"Holy shit, Zhao Wuji placed a bet too? Could there really be a chance?"

"Who knows? I'm betting on the Iron-Palm Tyrant Bear anyway. Easy money."

The discussions in the stands rose and fell like waves.

At the center of Arena Two, Shi Wei was already standing across from him.

His body was as massive as a mountain of flesh. His arms were thicker than an ordinary person's thighs and covered in a layer of grayish-brown bear fur.

With his arms folded across his chest, he looked down at the youth in the dark green academy uniform before him, wearing a relaxed expression of complete confidence.

"Little brat, I'd advise you not to fight. You're young. I don't want things to get too ugly." Shi Wei's voice was rough, like sandpaper scraping over wood.

Yun Tian looked up at him and smiled. "Don't cry later."

The referee stood between them, raised his arm high, then brought it down sharply. "Single combat, fight above your rank! Earth Tiger Yun Tian versus Iron-Palm Tyrant Bear Shi Wei! Begin!"

At that instant, cheers and shouts erupted from the stands.