"Young Master Xu has spoken, so I'll bet a mere three thousand taels. I'll bet on... the long-haired one winning."
These spoiled young masters were all interested in gambling and drinking. Xu Fengnian's suggestion immediately garnered support from many, who began placing substantial bets on their chosen contestants.
Su Fan was resting nearby. Seeing the chaotic scene on stage, he curiously walked over. It was only when he got closer that he could hear what they were discussing.
"I bet ten thousand taels on that woman winning. Young Master Xu, do you have the money to pay up?"
The total prize pool had already reached hundreds of thousands of taels. It was not something an ordinary person could necessarily afford to pay.
Xu Fengnian smiled faintly.
"Bet as much as you like. If I can't come up with it, I'll go straight to my father."
Xu Fengnian had no fear of losing. Even if he lost, he could afford it. Hundreds of thousands of taels were nothing; a few items from the Grand Commandant's mansion would suffice.
Su Fan's heart stirred. Were they setting up a betting pool?
Curiously, Su Fan edged closer, wanting to investigate.
"Halt!"
As Su Fan approached the viewing platform, he was stopped by the guards below.
"Contestants are not allowed near the viewing platform. Get back!"
The guards berated Su Fan unceremoniously, their eyes filled with disdain.
Indeed, in their eyes, someone like Su Fan would remain a commoner for his entire life. Without winning the championship, there was no hope of rising above his station, so they naturally looked down on him.
The commotion below the viewing platform caught the attention of the young masters on stage.
"Yo, Su Fan?"
Xu Fengnian's face lit up with a smile upon seeing Su Fan.
"What is this?"
Xu Fengnian asked curiously.
"Are you guys running a betting pool?"
Su Fan asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"What trash is this? Is this a place for you to be?"
One of the young masters sneered at Su Fan.
Su Fan narrowed his eyes, taking in the other's appearance and remembering it.
Xu Fengnian raised a hand, interrupting the other man.
"Yes, what do you want?"
Xu Fengnian knew Su Fan wouldn't be here without a reason.
"Can I participate?"
Su Fan asked.
Su Fan was primarily in need of money. He wouldn't let go of any opportunity to earn, otherwise, how would the Martial Alliance operate in the real world?
Xu Fengnian was taken aback by Su Fan's question.
"Heh, how much money do you have?"
Xu Fengnian asked with a scoff.
Su Fan checked. He currently had two hundred thousand coins in his inventory, which translated to only about two thousand taels of silver. This was accumulated from defeating bosses over the recent period.
"Two thousand taels."
Su Fan stated.
"Alright, but you can only bet on yourself."
Xu Fengnian agreed to Su Fan's bet. Two thousand taels wasn't a small sum.
Su Fan had no intention of betting on anyone else. He immediately took out two thousand taels and handed it to Xu Fengnian, betting on himself.
Xu Fengnian casually weighed the money pouch. Two thousand taels, about three hundred and twenty jin, felt as light as nothing in his hand.
"Good, I wish you victory."
Xu Fengnian said with a smile.
...
Su Fan returned to the arena. It was almost time for the second match.
The rules were the same: pairings from low to high numbers.
Su Fan's opponent this time was a dark-skinned man with long hair. A distinctive feature was that his right pinky finger was missing.
This man was one of the few contestants who had only sustained minor injuries in the first round.
"I am Su Fan. Please guide me."
Su Fan cupped his hands in greeting.
"Hmph!"
The opponent snorted and immediately lunged at Su Fan, his saber whistling through the air.
"Rude."
Su Fan muttered under his breath.
This guy wasn't like Qi Ling, who was mute. It was understandable if he couldn't speak, but Su Fan had heard him speak earlier. This was clearly an act of contempt for his opponent.
"Behold, Gale Saber!"
The dark-skinned man roared, wildly slashing his saber at Su Fan.
The saber light was dense, like mincing dumpling filling, as he hacked at Su Fan.
Clang, clang, clang!
Su Fan blocked with his sword, producing a series of rapid, sharp sounds. The saber struck his sword several times in quick succession.
Su Fan took a step back.
"Behold, Great Luo Divine Sword!"
Su Fan suddenly raised his sword, exuding an imposing aura as he slashed at the dark-skinned man.
The dark-skinned man was startled and dared not meet the blow head-on.
After all, Su Fan was the only one who had emerged from his first match completely unscathed. His strength was undoubtedly not to be underestimated, and such a solemn strike must be extraordinary.
The dark-skinned man flipped and dodged, quickly creating distance between himself and Su Fan.
Su Fan, meanwhile, sheathed his sword and seized the opportunity to pursue.
Great Luo Divine Sword? He didn't know such a move. It was all a bluff.
The dark-skinned man blinked as he saw Su Fan calmly sheathe his sword.
"You tricked me?"
The dark-skinned man realized he had been deceived.
"Tricked you? What are you talking about? Can't I call my normal attack the Great Luo Divine Sword?"
Su Fan refused to admit it. Who could prove otherwise? Couldn't he name his basic attacks?
"Hmph! Playing tricks."
The dark-skinned man snorted dismissively. If playing tricks could win, then he wouldn't be standing here.
"Flying Splendor Demonic Sword!"
Su Fan roared again, sheathing his sword and gathering power for a thrust. The blade gleamed with cold light, its aura even more potent than before.
The dark-skinned man frowned slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously chose to defend.
"Blood Shield!"
The dark-skinned man immediately employed a defensive technique, conjuring a shield of blood energy before him.
However, Su Fan's sword strike met the blood shield. Although it felt heavy, it was merely a normal attack from Su Fan, not worth the dark-skinned man using a defensive technique for.
Upon realizing he had been tricked again, the dark-skinned man was furious.
"Are you done yet?"
Su Fan feigned innocence.
"What's wrong? Can't I speak?"
Su Fan said, feigning exasperation.
"Fine! So you think you're the only one who can trick people!"
"Gale Rainstorm!"
"Black Tiger Steals the Heart!"
"Monkey Steals the Peach!"
...
The dark-skinned man attacked Su Fan while shouting out random moves.
Su Fan was not to be outdone.
"Snow Treading Without a Trace!"
"White Crane Spreads Its Wings!"
"Feint to the East, Attack to the West!"
"I am your father!"
Su Fan shouted whatever came to mind. It was all about disrupting the opponent's mindset, and Su Fan excelled at it.
"Hey! You can shout moves, but why the personal attacks!"
The dark-skinned man was immediately displeased. He clearly heard Su Fan insult him just now.
"Don't spout nonsense. When did I insult you? I'll sue you for slander!"
Su Fan certainly wouldn't admit it.
"You say you didn't insult me, but you just admitted it yourself!"
The dark-skinned man's face darkened further.
"Behold my final move! Thunderous Might!"
Su Fan didn't argue with the dark-skinned man. He incorporated a genuine attack into his onslaught.
"Hmph! Still trying to trick me!"
The dark-skinned man had seen through it. The more imposing Su Fan's aura became, the more he was bluffing. He never announced his real moves.
"Die!"
The dark-skinned man decided to meet Su Fan head-on, unleashing a signature technique with full confidence.
Seeing that Su Fan made no move to dodge, he rejoiced, believing he had won this round.
"Hmph! Fragile."
The dark-skinned man said coldly, resting his hands on his hips. In his mind, Su Fan was already dead. No one could withstand this move if they didn't dodge.