The appearance of one of the main protagonists of this spectacle instantly ignited the already stifling atmosphere, setting it alight. All eyes fixed upon Huangfu Ce. He was seen riding a crimson escape light, shrouded in a dense mist of vital energy, making a rather ostentatious circuit around the field before swooping down into the plaza, right before the viewing stands. He first cupped his hands toward the eight Ancestors seated on the platform: "Huangfu Ce of the Heavenly Demon Palace pays respects to all you esteemed Ancestors." He then offered a separate bow to Yang Mu: "Little Ce pays respects to Martial Uncle." Yang Mu, clad in blue robes, glanced at him, instantly discerning his current cultivation level. His expression softened, and he chuckled, "Little Ce, you must have suffered greatly through life-and-death trials these last six or seven years. To have broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, reaching the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm. Remarkable, truly remarkable. You aren't fifty yet, are you?"

"Little Ce is forty-eight this year, and I have spent thirty-five years cultivating," Huangfu Ce replied, his eyes shining with pride. Forty-eight years old, thirty-five years of cultivation, and he had already advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, the ninth layer. While perhaps not unheard of in the world, it was certainly an achievement to boast about. However, Huangfu Ce knew that all of this had been forced out of him by Lei Dong. Originally, while he cultivated diligently, the lack of truly formidable competitors among his peers meant his drive often waned. But now, spurred on by Lei Dong, he had cultivated almost desperately for the last six or seven years. Coupled with his inherently excellent aptitude, this resulted in his current enviable achievement.

Huangfu Ce's current strength gave Wan Gui, seated in the stands, a jolt. In just a decade, Huangfu Ce had shockingly advanced from the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment to the ninth. Such a staggering progression made the Old Ancestor Wan Gui increasingly uneasy. Although he knew his troublesome disciple was rumored to have reached the third layer of Foundation Establishment six or seven years ago, Wan Gui suspected his current highest level was barely the fifth layer. That was a full four layers beneath Huangfu Ce. How could he fight?

That damn brat should have returned to the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave two years earlier to get a set of high-grade spiritual artifacts tailored for him, Wan Gui muttered internally, cursing his disciple. Even a few days earlier would have sufficed! He had prepared plenty of powerful talismans and pills for him.

"Old Ghost," Youming Old Ancestor transmitted mentally, "the situation looks grim... This Huangfu Ce kid has truly outstanding talent; he’s already in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. I believe the Yin Sha Sect will gain another Golden Core expert within twenty years." "Hmph, that depends on whether he lives through today first..." Wan Gui Old Ancestor shot back, somewhat vexed and angry.

Even Yan Mo transmitted, her voice grave: "Old Ghost, I fear your precious disciple is in grave danger. Are we still running the joint alliance today...?" "If you're scared, I'll run it alone," Wan Gui Old Ancestor flared up at Yan Mo's suggestion of danger.

"Don't be angry, Old Ghost, I'm just stating facts. But to support you, I'll take the plunge too." After transmitting this, Yan Mo stood up, chuckling seductively: "To have a life-and-death match like this and not run a book is an insult to heaven and earth. Today, I, Yan Mo, will take a turn at running the book! Not only can Golden Core Ancestors participate, but even the spectators below can place wagers. The minimum bet is ten thousand spirit stones. The odds are: Huangfu Ce pays 1.5 for every 1 bet, and Lei Dong pays 2 for every 1 bet. As everyone has seen, Huangfu Ce is indeed formidable, already a late-stage Foundation Establishment master. Those wishing to bet can do so at the betting tables. However, these odds are subject to change at any moment—as of my speaking." As for the Golden Core Ancestors, they can place their bets with me..." Yan Mo said, gesturing toward a row of tables beside the plaza, where many disciples under Yan Mo’s command had begun solemnly setting up to sell special chips.

Once the odds were announced, the crowd quickly calculated. Betting ten thousand spirit stones on Huangfu Ce to win would yield a profit of five thousand if successful. Betting on Lei Dong to win would yield a profit of ten thousand. Yet, reflecting on Huangfu Ce's visible strength, the odds of him winning were extremely high. Even though a bet on him yielded only five thousand profit on ten thousand wagered, the probability was high. Betting on Lei Dong, while offering a larger payout, felt to many like throwing spirit stones into a dry well. Hadn't they just seen Huangfu Ce reach the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment?

Those favoring Huangfu Ce immediately flocked to the betting tables, pulling out spirit stones to wager on his victory. Lower-level disciples who were short on funds pooled ten thousand spirit stones between two, three, or even four or five of them, placing bets on Huangfu Ce.

As more and more people placed bets on Huangfu Ce, Yan Mo's expression grew slightly strained. She transmitted to Wan Gui: "Old Ghost, are you actually confident in your disciple? This is a huge risk for us. If you aren't sure, I can adjust the odds to encourage more bets on Lei Dong before the other Old Ghosts start wagering." "Nonsense. That kid never does anything he isn't certain of..." Even though it had been ten years since the challenge, Old Ancestor Wan Gui held a strange, inexplicable faith in Lei Dong. He felt his disciple was profoundly unusual. He chastised softly, "If we try to lure people into betting on Lei Dong, we'll be bankrupted."

"Fine, I'll risk it then. If we lose, I'll be hanging around the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave freeloading for the rest of my days," Yan Mo transmitted back.

The group from Asura Heaven also began stirring restlessly. Wen Wupeng asked his leader, "Boss Wu, you know Lei Dong. How does he stack up against this Huangfu Ce? Who should we bet on?" Wu Peng was troubled. Although he knew Lei Dong was formidable, this Huangfu Ce seemed equally strong, already at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. When he last parted ways with Lei Dong, the latter was only at the third layer of Foundation Establishment. Betting on Lei Dong felt uncertain. Betting on Huangfu Ce made him recall Lei Dong’s battle against Tantai Bingyun. He could only shake his head: "Let's wait and see. Huangfu Ce is very strong. If you wish to play, place small bets based on your own judgment. I warn you, Lei Dong’s cultivation level is at best the same as mine right now—around the fifth or sixth layer of Foundation Establishment." The group exchanged glances, and then headed off to place their bets, all wagering on Huangfu Ce to win.

The contingent from the Demonic Prison Sect also seemed eager to participate, bombarding Li Huntian with questions. Li Huntian found himself in a predicament. Before seeing Huangfu Ce, he had favored Lei Dong’s chances. But now, he wasn't so sure. Huangfu Ce was clearly no ordinary figure. Li Huntian himself wasn't confident he could defeat him. Conversely, Li Huntian didn't believe Lei Dong could win against him.

Because Li Huntian hadn't decided, the Demonic Prison Sect members all ended up betting on Huangfu Ce to win. At the betting station, a message was soon transmitted to Yan Mo: "Ancestress, bets favoring Huangfu Ce have already exceeded three hundred, while those on Lei Dong are under ten. Should we adjust the odds?" "No need, continue," Yan Mo had resolved to wholeheartedly support Lei Dong and win big. Why would she adjust the odds? If Lei Dong won in the end, the more people betting on Huangfu Ce, the better.

"Yan Mo, if you won't change the odds, don't blame me for being ruthless," Old Ancestor Ku Gu cackled menacingly: "Two thousand bets, Huangfu Ce to win!" Over a decade ago, after that massive gamble, Ku Gu had been nearly bankrupted. For years, he had sought revenge. Before the match, he had scraped together funds, borrowing from every corner, even pawning his last two remaining businesses. He had finally managed to gather two thousand high-grade spirit stones. The only thing that slightly irritated Ku Gu was that because Huangfu Ce's strength was so high, his odds of winning were low. But that was understandable; Yan Mo wasn't foolish. Although Ku Gu felt the odds were already quite foolish. Betting two thousand stakes to earn a thousand in profit was something Ku Gu was willing to do. After all, should he bet on Lei Dong to win? A thousand in profit would be enough for Yan Mo to bleed heavily. Besides, he wasn't the only one betting on Huangfu Ce. If these odds continued, Yan Mo would certainly face ruin.

"Stop the nonsense. If you're placing a bet, bring the money out first according to the rules," Yan Mo said irritably. "Heh heh, does Old Ku Gu lack that much credibility?" Old Ancestor Ku Gu gave a sinister chuckle. "When have I ever defaulted on a debt? If you win, the two thousand high-grade spirit stones are yours anytime. If you lose, just be ready with the one thousand high-grade spirit stones." "Hmph..." Yan Mo was only displeased with him. Ku Gu, despite his many flaws, never defaulted on gambling debts. Her heart, however, was thumping with anxiety. That Lei Dong kid absolutely had to perform! If she lost this bet now, it would be truly disastrous.

The other few Golden Core Ancestors, fearing Yan Mo might change the odds, quickly announced their wagers, shouting out three hundred here, five hundred there. It seemed they all hoped to rake in a significant sum. None of them believed Lei Dong’s cultivation could surpass Huangfu Ce’s.

More and more people joined the betting pool, but the vast majority continued to back Huangfu Ce. The rapidly escalating stakes made Yan Mo’s heart jump; if she actually lost, she would have to sell herself off.

"One hundred bets, Lei Dong to win." A tall, masked woman dressed entirely in celebratory red appeared by the betting table. She tossed down one hundred high-grade spirit stones. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators could barely afford ten or eight bets each. But this Foundation Establishment woman placed a hundred bets at once, and on Lei Dong to win, drawing numerous stares. Soon, someone recognized her waist pendant and gasped, "She’s from the Yin-Yang Harmonious Union Sect." "What are you looking at? Be careful or this auntie will dig your eyes out," Qi Feifei snorted coldly. Some people retreated fearfully, but a few Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yin Sha Sect surrounded her: "Little lady, this is the Yin Sha Sect's territory, not your Joyous Union Sect's..." Suddenly, a chilling aura permeated the air. Those men looked up, then quickly lowered their heads and scurried away.

... (To be continued)