Chapter 153: The Protagonist Always Appears Last

July 24 on Earth, the second day since Facing Facing Cang Luo's family was kidnapped.

June 21 on the Yuanwu Continent, noon.

Profound Tianmen.

The outer sect martial arts ground, the central life-and-death arena area.

At this moment, heads were packed together; at least a thousand outer sect disciples had gathered, along with several dozen inner sect disciples.

Moreover, the number kept increasing, radiating in from all four directions of the martial arts ground.

They came here to watch a life-and-death duel, and to place bets, to gamble; this was one of the few pleasures for Profound Tianmen disciples besides cultivation.

This life-and-death duel had much to watch; one side was an outer sect disciple ranked in the top ten by strength, specifically fourth or fifth, perhaps even higher.

Because the top ten outer sect disciples had not fought each other in a long time, either secluding themselves in cultivation or training abroad to prepare for the year-end grand competition, so the rankings were somewhat uncertain.

This top-ten disciple bore the double surname Ouyang, with the single given name Lie.

Ouyang Lie!

The leader of the largest faction in the outer sect, the Split Heaven Gang!

Just turned sixteen years old.

Martial General ninth realm peak cultivation!

His true combat power could fight an inner sect disciple who had just entered the Wu Shi realm.

Very strong!

Yet his opponent was a twenty-two-year-old older outer sect disciple whose cultivation was only Martial General fourth realm.

This age, this cultivation, were completely disproportionate.

One could only say his aptitude was extremely poor!

Generally speaking, at the age of twenty-two, one must at least reach Wu Shi third realm cultivation to be considered qualified; otherwise, one would surely be asked to leave by the sect and expelled.

As for why Facing Facing Cang Luo had not been expelled, rumors said he had cultivated for less than a year and was a wandering beggar child brought back by the Sect Master, which is why he was allowed to remain in the sect to cultivate.

If that were the case, reaching Martial General fourth realm cultivation in less than a year, ignoring his age, was still quite good, stronger than most outer sect disciples.

But why had he issued a life-and-death duel challenge to Senior Brother Ouyang Lie?

Why seek death?

Some outer sect disciples who did not yet know the reason for the two's duel were learning the cause of their confrontation and preparing to place bets.

And Facing Facing Cang Luo had already arrived, on the arena, the very center arena, Arena Number Five.

On Arena Number Five, there was another person, but it was not Ouyang Lie; Ouyang Lie had not arrived yet.

Executive Wang, the executive who had supervised the battle between Facing Facing Cang Luo and Chen Yun yesterday, would supervise the battle between Facing Facing Cang Luo and Ouyang Lie today as well.

The skies of June and July were in the height of summer, scorching and exceptionally hot; the disciples waiting below the arena to watch the fight were already drenched in sweat.

However, Facing Facing Cang Luo was not particularly hot; he was currently circulating the Clear Wind Art to cool himself, with his body's qi flowing, wind-attributed, chilly, as if an air conditioner had been installed inside his clothes.

Only he could do this; with infinite yuan power, otherwise which Martial General disciple could waste yuan power like this?

Actually consuming yuan power just to cool off!

In one corner of the arena, where Executive Wang stood, a sunshade umbrella had been set up; Executive Wang stood beneath the sunshade and was not particularly hot, nor was he afraid of the heat.

With Wu Shi cultivation, what heat was there to fear?

Yet, his mood was somewhat irritable, somewhat angry.

It was agreed to be noon, and a quarter-hour had already passed; that brat Ouyang Lie still had not arrived!

How dare he make this executive wait so long under the scorching sun?

Damn it!

Turning to glance around, he still did not see Ouyang Lie's figure; Executive Wang snorted coldly and looked at Facing Facing Cang Luo, who was walking around the arena with a relaxed and casual expression.

Take two steps, casually stomp on the arena floor beneath his feet...

So idle!

So good at stirring up trouble!

Yesterday he killed Ouyang Lie's underling, and today he dares to challenge Ouyang Lie himself to a life-and-death duel!

Has he grown tired of living?

But this fellow seems not worried at all?

Not afraid of being killed by Ouyang Lie?

Looking at Facing Facing Cang Luo, Executive Wang frowned slightly; what was this fellow doing?

Suddenly, Executive Wang thought of a possibility: could this fellow actually be confident he could defeat Ouyang Lie?

Executive Wang found his own thought somewhat amusing; Ouyang Lie was an outer sect disciple ranked in the top ten by strength, with Martial General ninth realm peak cultivation.

In a while, even he, with Wu Shi sixth realm cultivation, might not be his match.

This one named Facing Facing Cang Luo, with only Martial General fourth realm cultivation, how could he be Ouyang Lie's match?

He heard that yesterday he was trampled and humiliated by Ouyang Lie, and unable to bear it, this led to today's life-and-death duel.

Clearly not Ouyang Lie's match at all!

"But why do I have a premonition that today will be an upset?"

Executive Wang paused for a moment, recalling yesterday's battle between Facing Facing Cang Luo and Chen Yun.

As an executive with Wu Shi cultivation, he had good eyesight; he saw at a glance that the palm technique Facing Facing Cang Luo used to kill Chen Yun was a martial art capable of unleashing tremendous power in an instant.

This martial art had great power; even he would have to exert some effort to block it, yet this martial art also had a weakness.

It consumed a great deal and required preparation time; if one strike missed, he might be powerless to fight again...

Could he still have a trump card?

Executive Wang frowned and pondered bitterly; unknowingly, another quarter-hour passed, yet Ouyang Lie still had not arrived.

"Hmph!"

Elder Wang grew completely impatient. He snorted coldly, looked toward the side of the arena, and called over an Outer Sect disciple he knew.

Then, he secretly took two High-Grade Spirit Stones from his robe, handed them to the other person, and whispered, "Help me bet on Facing Facing Cang Luo to win. Find the highest odds for a Facing Facing Cang Luo victory. Don't make a scene. Go."

"Uh???"

That Outer Sect disciple was dumbfounded. He blankly accepted the Spirit Stones and left without a word to place the bet.

Did Elder Wang actually believe Facing Facing Cang Luo could defeat Senior Brother Ouyang Lie?

Could he know some inside information?

Should I bet a little too?

Beneath Arena Five, surrounded by a crowd of spectators so dense no water could pass through, the entire War Wolf Gang, with fewer than thirty members remaining in the innermost layer, had all arrived. At this moment, every single one wore a face full of anger.

Ouyang Lie had not arrived yet!

Not a single person from the Sky-Splitting Gang was in sight.

Li Zhanxing angrily said, "We arrived half a shi earlier, two ke before the agreed time. And he? He still hasn't come. Could it be he fears our Gang Leader? Dare not come to fight?"

The moment his words fell, laughter immediately erupted from the surroundings.

"Hahaha, interesting. Would Senior Brother Ouyang fear your Gang Leader? Arrogant ignorance!"

"Exactly. A bunch of self-righteous, frog-in-the-well fools. Senior Brother Ouyang is a powerhouse, he is the protagonist. Of course, the protagonist must appear last."

"Hahaha..."

The crowd of spectators mocked the War Wolf Gang and Facing Facing Cang Luo repeatedly. While wiping away hot sweat, they discussed how many moves Facing Facing Cang Luo could last against Ouyang Lie, as this concerned the important matter of betting.

For this life-and-death duel, because the strength gap between the two duelists was vast, everyone agreed Ouyang Lie would win, so the betting method was slightly different.

It was not simply betting on who wins or loses, but betting on how many moves Ouyang Lie would use to defeat or kill Facing Facing Cang Luo.

The fewer moves used, the higher the odds.

Of course, there was an even higher option: betting on Facing Facing Cang Luo to win.

However, everyone knew full well that this option was just for show; no one would actually bet on Facing Facing Cang Luo to win.

"The Divine Martial Gang offered the highest odds. The odds for Senior Brother Ouyang defeating Facing Facing Cang Luo in one move are five times, two moves are three times, three moves are one point five times, and more than three moves are one point one times. What do you think?"

Someone asked the opinion of the Senior Brother beside him, naturally ignoring the option that betting on Facing Facing Cang Luo to win could yield ten times the stake.

The person beside him analyzed, "The possibility of a one-move defeat is relatively small. Facing Facing Cang Luo was able to instantly kill Chen Yun, proving his strength is not weak either.

I heard that yesterday, inside the Technique Pavilion, he barely managed to withstand a full-power punch from Senior Brother Ouyang. It was only on the second move that Senior Brother Ouyang stepped on him. This shows he can last two moves...

However, that was when he was caught off guard. Today is a life-and-death battle; he must be prepared. I will be conservative and bet on three moves."

This person's analysis made some sense. The crowd nodded in agreement, and most people bet on the two conservative options: 'Three Moves' and 'More Than Three Moves'.

They were not stupid. The Divine Martial Gang offered such high odds for 'One Move' and 'Two Moves' precisely to make everyone bet on those two options.

Although Facing Facing Cang Luo's strength differed greatly from Ouyang Lie's, in a life-and-death battle, he would surely unleash a desperate burst of power; he would not be defeated or killed so easily.

However, there were still some with iron heads who wanted to get rich quick and bet on the 'One Move' option.

At this moment, someone suddenly said urgently, "Who among you still has money? Over there, Beigong Wang of the Blood Blade Gang has offered even higher odds: ten times!

Defeating or killing Facing Facing Cang Luo in one move, ten times the odds!

Defeating Facing Facing Cang Luo in two moves, five times!"

"What!?"

"Damn! I put everything on the Divine Martial Gang..."

"Haha, I still have ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones. I'll go bet right now..."

One stone stirred a thousand waves. The crowd rushed toward where Beigong Wang, the person in charge of the Blood Blade Gang, was located, scrambling to place bets.

Although Ouyang Lie had not yet arrived, his life-and-death duel with Facing Facing Cang Luo had already been pushed to a climax by the several gangs opening the house and the gamblers.

Not only were Outer Sect disciples betting, but some Inner Sect disciples who rarely came to the Outer Sect were also betting.

Beside Arena Five, on Arena Six.

A group of Inner Sect disciples dressed in white tight-fitting uniforms were occupying Arena Six, taking up advantageous viewing positions and looking down upon the many Outer Sect disciples.

They laughed and talked freely. They were elegant and graceful. They were high and mighty.

They casually tossed out some Spirit Stones for Outer Sect disciples waiting by the arena to handle on their behalf, sending them to place bets for them.

Chu Jiang smiled and said, "Interesting! Interesting! Junior brothers are quite interesting. What a huge wager!"

"Where is the interest? What is there to watch in a contest between two martial artists who cannot even project their Qi beyond their bodies? If you hadn't forcibly dragged this Young Master to watch, I would not have had the time to come."

The speaker was the only Inner Sect disciple present who had reached the Martial Spirit cultivation level.

Senior Nan Gong Jue, with a cultivation level of Martial Spirit, first stage.

In his eyes, the duel between Ouyang Lie and Facing Facing Cang Luo was indeed not worth watching.

However, he glanced once more at Arena Five where Facing Facing Cang Luo was located. He sensed that something seemed to be beneath the ground where Arena Five stood.

A Second-Rank Demonic Beast had drilled in!

He did not take it seriously; after all, it had nothing to do with him.

Chu Jiang nodded slightly, then shook his head and said, "The contest between the junior brothers is indeed not worth watching. However, what the junior brother refers to as 'interesting' is the betting pool generated by this contest."

Senior Nan Gong Jue said nothing. Chu Jiang continued, "The junior brother roughly calculated that the total gambling funds involved in this contest have reached at least... five hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones!"

Upon hearing these words, all the Inner Sect disciples were shocked.

"Five hundred?!"

"Fifty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Is there really that much?"

"This... even if you stripped all ten thousand Outer Sect disciples, you might not gather that much. Besides, it's impossible for everyone to participate in the betting pool, right?"

They were shocked. Senior Nan Gong Jue was also stunned, then looked toward the Divine Martial Gang, Blood Blade Gang, and several other Outer Sect gangs that had opened the betting pool and were currently collecting gambling funds frantically.

Five hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones; even for them, they had never seen such an amount, let alone possessed it.

Chu Jiang chuckled: "You've greatly underestimated the outer sect juniors. From what I know, just any one of those gangs could easily produce several thousand pieces of low-grade yuan stone."

At these words, everyone was startled again, their eyes filled with disbelief.

When did the outer sect gangs become this wealthy?

The inner sect has no disciples forming gangs, because by the time one reaches the Wu Shi or Martial Spirit realm, they can stand alone—no longer needing the strength of a group. Outings and training are conducted in fixed small teams of a few people, which is more efficient.

But they were all veterans; when they were outer sect disciples, they too had joined gangs and knew the outer sect gangs inside and out.

They were nothing but cliques exploiting power through numbers, gathering crowds to bully the weak—no one had ever heard of a gang possessing assets of several thousand pieces of low-grade yuan stone.

"Heh, you're narrow-minded."

Chu Jiang smiled: "Do you know what's trending in Xuantian Town lately? What's the most popular?"

The others were puzzled; most of their time was spent on external training and missions, and they'd only just returned these past two days.

Chu Jiang didn't drag it out: "Barbecue shops!"

"Barbecue shops?"

"A food shop? Or a firewood shop?"

At this, Chu Jiang suddenly dropped his smile and said seriously: "A food shop—mostly first-rank beast meat, a few second-rank, skewered and grilled."

Before they could show disdain, he continued: "The most popular barbecue shop, at its peak, earned several hundred pieces of low-grade yuan stone per day from sales and tips alone—after expenses, still netted over a hundred pieces..."

"..."

Upon hearing this figure, everyone fell silent. A net income of over a hundred pieces of low-grade yuan stone per day... that's one high-class yuan stone per day.

This was more than most inner sect disciples earned in a day.

Especially for inner sect disciples at the Wu Shi realm—they could barely scrape together a few dozen pieces of low-grade yuan stone per day.

The key point: opening a shop carries no danger. No life-or-death risk.

As the owner, you could just lie back and collect yuan stone into your pocket...

When did a food shop selling first-rank beast meat become this profitable?

The others looked puzzled, unsure why Chu Jiang suddenly brought this up. Nan Gong Jue frowned: "What does this barbecue shop have to do with this duel?"

Chu Jiang immediately raised his thumb in admiration: "No wonder you're Senior Brother Nan Gong—you connected the two so quickly. Correct: these barbecue shops are operated by outer sect gangs."

"The most popular shop I mentioned just now belongs to one of the duel's parties—it's called... Facing Facing Cang Luo, Warwolf Gang, Warwolf Barbecue Shop."

He had barely finished when Nan Gong Jue said: "Ah, then the other side of the duel is apparently at the peak of Martial General Ninth Layer, also a gang leader—the largest outer sect gang."

"Could it be that he wants the Warwolf Barbecue Shop, and forced... Facing Facing Cang Luo into a life-and-death duel?"

"Impressive!"

Chu Jiang praised again: "Senior Brother Nan Gong guessed right. The direct reason for the duel is this: Lie Tian Gang wants to seize the Warwolf Gang's barbecue shop..."

As he spoke, he shifted topic suddenly: "Do you know who backs Lie Tian Gang?"

"Who?"

"Li Haoran!"

"Senior Brother Li?"

Nan Gong Jue said gravely: "You mean the one who truly wants the Warwolf Barbecue Shop is Li Haoran?"

Chu Jiang snorted: "Exactly! Li Haoran definitely covets the revenue of the Warwolf Barbecue Shop."

If he could take over the Warwolf Barbecue Shop, plus Lie Tian Gang's own two barbecue shops, then the entire barbecue business in Xuantian Town would be under Li Haoran's control."

Then, Li Haoran could effortlessly gain at least thirty high-class yuan stones per month—or even more..."

Hss!

Everyone sucked in a breath—thirty or more high-class yuan stones per month, effortlessly, as cultivation resources!

Terrifying!

Envious!

Jealous!

Li Haoran was already a genius with exceptional talent; if he now gained such vast resources without effort, his cultivation and strength would be like a tiger with wings.

Among them, only Nan Gong Jue could barely match Li Haoran.

But after this duel, Nan Gong Jue might forever look up to Li Haoran...

Chu Jiang glanced at Nan Gong Jue's icy expression and fell silent.

He and the few beside him had a good relationship with Nan Gong Jue; they were a fixed small team, often going out together for training and missions.

His purpose in saying all this was simple: to incite Nan Gong Jue to challenge Li Haoran.

To challenge for those barbecue shops, for control of all the outer sect gangs!