[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds":3,"chapter-high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-153":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","High Martial Arts Across Two Worlds",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2361124,4616,"Chapter 153: The Protagonist Always Appears Last","high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>On July 24 in Earth’s calendar, the day after Cang Luo’s family was kidnapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twenty-first day of the sixth month in the Yuanwu Continent’s calendar, noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuantian Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outer Sect training ground, central life-or-death arena area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the crowd was dense, with at least a thousand outer sect disciples gathered, along with dozens of inner sect disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the number kept growing, streaming in from all directions of the training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had come to watch a life-or-death duel and place bets—it was one of the few pleasures outer sect disciples had outside cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This life-or-death duel was particularly exciting: one combatant was among the top ten outer sect disciples in strength, specifically fourth or fifth, perhaps even higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the top ten outer sect disciples hadn’t fought each other in a long time—either in seclusion or on external quests preparing for the year-end grand competition—their rankings had become uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This top-ten disciple’s surname was Ouyang, his given name Lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Lie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leader of the Lietian Gang, the largest outer sect faction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just over sixteen years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation base: Martial General Ninth Layer, peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His true combat power could match an inner sect disciple newly entered into the Martial Master realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very strong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his opponent was a twenty-two-year-old senior outer sect disciple, with a cultivation base of only Martial General Fourth Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Age and cultivation level were completely disproportionate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only say his talent was abysmal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, at twenty-two, one should at least reach Martial Master Third Layer to be considered qualified; otherwise, the sect would surely dismiss and expel them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why Cang Luo hadn’t been expelled, rumors said he had cultivated for less than a year and was a stray beggar brought back by the Sect Master, hence allowed to remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If true, reaching Martial General Fourth Layer in under a year—ignoring age—was actually impressive, stronger than most outer sect disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why had he challenged Ouyang Lie to a life-or-death duel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why seek death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some outer sect disciples who didn’t yet know the reason for the duel were asking about it and preparing to place bets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Cang Luo had already arrived—on the arena, the central one, Arena Five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Arena Five, there was another person—but it wasn’t Ouyang Lie; Ouyang Lie hadn’t arrived yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wang, the overseer who had supervised Cang Luo and Chen Yun yesterday, was again overseeing Cang Luo and Ouyang Lie today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the scorching heat of June and July, the disciples waiting below the arena were drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cang Luo wasn’t particularly hot—he was currently channeling the Clear Wind Scripture to cool himself, his body circled by Gang qi, wind-elemental and chilly, like air conditioning installed inside his robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only he could afford such waste—only someone with infinite yuan energy could squander it just to cool off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using yuan energy just to cool down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one corner of the arena, where Master Wang stood, an umbrella shaded him; he stood beneath it, unbothered by the heat, unafraid of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Martial Master’s cultivation—what did he care about heat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his mood was restless, slightly angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agreed time of noon had passed by fifteen minutes, and that brat Ouyang Lie still hadn’t arrived!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare he make this overseer wait this long under the blazing sun?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced back again—still no sign of Ouyang Lie. Master Wang let out a cold snort, fixing his gaze on Cang Luo, who strolled casually across the arena, relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walk a few steps, casually stamp his feet on the arena floor...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So relaxed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So full of trouble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday he killed one of Ouyang Lie’s underlings; today he’s challenging the man himself to a life-or-death duel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he tired of living?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this guy doesn’t seem worried at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t fear being killed by Ouyang Lie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Cang Luo, Master Wang frowned slightly—what was this guy up to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Master Wang thought of a possibility: could this guy actually be confident he could defeat Ouyang Lie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wang found the thought amusing—Ouyang Lie was among the top ten outer sect disciples, at peak Martial General Ninth Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a while, even himself, at Martial Master Sixth Layer, might not be his match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Cang Luo, at only Martial General Fourth Layer—how could he possibly be Ouyang Lie’s match?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that yesterday he was humiliated by Ouyang Lie, stepping on him, and that’s why he’d challenged him to this duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly no match for Ouyang Lie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet... why do I have a feeling today’s match will be an upset?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wang paused, recalling yesterday’s battle between Cang Luo and Chen Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Martial Master overseer, his eye for technique was sharp—he immediately recognized the palm technique Cang Luo used to kill Chen Yun as one capable of explosive power in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a technique was powerful—even he would need effort to block it—but it had weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It consumed enormous energy, required preparation time; if the first strike missed, he might be left powerless...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he still have another card up his sleeve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wang frowned in deep thought; another fifteen minutes passed unnoticed, yet Ouyang Lie still hadn’t arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wang’s patience snapped. He let out a cold snort, turned to the arena’s edge, and called over a familiar outer sect disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, secretly pulling two high-grade yuan stones from his robe, he whispered to the disciple: “Bet on Cang Luo winning. Find the highest odds for Cang Luo’s victory. Don’t make a fuss. Go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outer sect disciple stared blankly, took the yuan stones, and left without understanding, to place the bet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Wang actually believed Cang Luo could defeat Ouyang Lie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he know some secret?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I bet too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Arena Five, the crowd was packed so tightly only thirty people remained in the innermost ring—all members of the Warwolf Gang, each face twisted with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouyang Lie hadn’t arrived!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single member of the Lietian Gang was visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhan snarled: “We arrived half an hour early—two full quarters ahead of schedule—and yet he still hasn’t shown up! Is he afraid of our boss? Too scared to face him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than laughter erupted around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha, hilarious! Ouyang Senior Brother afraid of your boss? Arrogant fools!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! A bunch of self-important, narrow-minded idiots. Ouyang Senior Brother is a powerhouse, a protagonist—protagonists always appear last.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectators mocked the Warwolf Gang and Cang Luo relentlessly, wiping sweat as they debated how many moves Cang Luo could survive against Ouyang Lie—this directly affected their bets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the duel’s power disparity was so extreme, everyone assumed Ouyang Lie would win, so betting was structured differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t simply betting on who would win or lose—it was betting on how many moves Ouyang Lie would use to defeat or kill Cang Luo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fewer moves, the higher the odds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was an even higher option: betting on Cang Luo’s victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone knew this option existed only for show—no one seriously bet on Cang Luo winning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shenwu Gang offers the highest odds: one move to defeat Cang Luo pays fivefold, two moves threefold, three moves one-and-a-half-fold, more than three moves one-and-one-tenth-fold. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone asked his senior’s opinion, naturally ignoring the tenfold payout option for Cang Luo’s victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior analyzed: “One move is unlikely. Cang Luo instantly killed Chen Yun—he’s not weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said that yesterday, he barely blocked Ouyang Senior Brother’s full-power punch, and only got crushed underfoot on the second move—so he can survive two moves...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was under surprise; today’s a life-or-death duel—he’ll be prepared. I’ll play it safe: bet on three moves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His analysis made sense; most nodded in agreement, and the majority bet on “three moves” or “more than three moves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t fools—Shenwu Gang offered such high odds on “one move” and “two moves” precisely to lure people into betting those options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Cang Luo’s strength paled beside Ouyang Lie’s, in a life-or-death fight, he’d surely unleash something—wouldn’t fall so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, a few reckless fools, chasing big riches, bet on “one move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, someone cried out urgently: “Who still has money? Bloodblade Gang’s Beigong Wang just offered even higher odds—tenfold!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One move to defeat or kill Cang Luo: tenfold payout!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two moves to defeat Cang Luo: fivefold!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! I bet everything at Shenwu Gang...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! I’ve got ten low-grade yuan stones—I’m going to bet now...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stone thrown into a pond—chaos erupted. Everyone rushed toward Beigong Wang’s location, scrambling to place bets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Ouyang Lie hadn’t arrived, his life-or-death duel with Cang Luo had already reached a fever pitch among the major gambling factions and gamblers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just outer sect disciples were betting—some rare inner sect disciples who’d come to the outer sect were betting too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to Platform Five, on Platform Six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of inner-disciple students clad in white training robes dominated Platform Six, occupying prime viewing positions and looking down upon the numerous outer-disciple students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They laughed and chatted freely, carried themselves with elegance, and stood far above everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They casually tossed out a few high-grade Qi stones, ordering the outer-disciple students waiting by the platform to place bets for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang chuckled: “Interesting! Very interesting! My junior brothers are truly interesting—what a grand gesture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s interesting? What’s there to watch in a fight between two warriors who can’t even project their Gangqi ? If you hadn’t dragged me here, I wouldn’t have wasted my time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was the only inner-disciple present who had reached the Wu Ling cultivation base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nan Gong Jue, Wu Ling First Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, the duel between Ouyang Lie and Cang Luo was truly unremarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he glanced an extra moment at Platform Five where Cang Luo stood, sensing something beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second-rank beast had burrowed in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paid it no mind—it had nothing to do with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang nodded slightly, then shook his head: “The juniors’ duels aren’t worth watching, but what my junior brother means by ‘interesting’ is the betting pool this fight has generated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nan Gong Jue said nothing; Chu Jiang continued: “I roughly calculated—the total stakes involved in this fight have reached at least... five hundred high-grade Qi stones!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, all the inner-disciples were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five hundred?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty thousand low-grade Qi stones! Could there really be that much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This... even if we stripped all ten thousand outer-disciples, we might not gather this much. Besides, not everyone would join the betting, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were shocked. Nan Gong Jue too was taken aback, then turned to glance at the outer-disciple gangs—Shenwu Gang, Xuedao Gang, and others—who were feverishly collecting bets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five hundred high-grade Qi stones—even they had never seen, let alone owned, such a sum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang chuckled: “You’ve vastly underestimated the outer-disciples. From what I know, any one of those gangs could easily muster several thousand low-grade Qi stones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the group was stunned again, their faces filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had the outer-disciple gangs become so wealthy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner sect never had disciples form gangs, because by the time one reached Wu Shi or Wu Ling, one could stand alone—no longer needing group strength. Outings and training were always done in fixed small teams, more efficient that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were all veterans; when they were outer-disciples themselves, they too had joined gangs, and knew them inside and out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were nothing but cliques that bullied the weak through sheer numbers—no one had ever heard of a gang possessing several thousand low-grade Qi stones in assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, you’re all narrow-minded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang smiled: “Do you know what’s trending in Xuantian Town right now? What’s the most popular?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were puzzled—they spent most of their time on missions and training, and had only just returned these past two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang didn’t drag it out: “Barbecue shops!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Barbecue shops?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Food shops? Or firewood shops?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Chu Jiang suddenly dropped his smile and spoke seriously: “Food shops. Most sell first-rank beast meat, some second-rank, skewered and grilled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could sneer, he added: “The most popular barbecue shop, at its peak, earned several hundred low-grade Qi stones a day in sales and tips—after expenses, still netted over a hundred...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group fell silent at the number—a net income of over a hundred low-grade Qi stones a day... meaning one high-grade Qi stone per day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s more than most inner-disciples earn in a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Wu Shi-level inner-disciples, who barely scrape together a few dozen low-grade Qi stones daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key point: running a shop carries no danger—no life-or-death risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the owner, you could just lie back and pocket the Qi stones...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did a food shop selling first-rank beast meat become this profitable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group looked puzzled, unsure why Chu Jiang brought this up. Nan Gong Jue frowned: “What does this barbecue shop have to do with this duel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang immediately raised his thumb in admiration: “No wonder you’re Senior Brother Nan Gong—you connected the dots so fast. Correct: these barbecue shops are run by the outer-disciple gangs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The one I mentioned as the most popular? It belongs to the side in this duel—Cang Luo’s Warwolf Gang. Warwolf Barbecue Shop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had barely finished when Nan Gong Jue said: “Ah, so the other side is at Wu Jiang Ninth Layer peak, also a gang leader—the largest outer-disciple gang. Could he be forcing Cang Luo into a life-or-death duel to seize the Warwolf Barbecue Shop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this man be forcing Cang Luo into a life-or-death duel just to seize War Wolf Barbecue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang praised again: “Senior Brother Nan Gong guessed right. The direct reason for this duel is exactly that—the Lietian Gang wants the Warwolf Barbecue Shop...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted topics abruptly: “Do you know who backs the Lietian Gang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he changed the subject and suddenly asked, “Do you know who backs the Lie Tian Gang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Haoran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Li?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nan Gong Jue said gravely: “You mean the one truly after the Warwolf Barbecue Shop is Li Haoran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang snorted: “Exactly! Li Haoran has set his sights on the shop’s profits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he takes over the Warwolf Barbecue Shop and adds it to Lietian Gang’s two existing ones, he’ll control the entire barbecue business in Xuantian Town.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then Li Haoran could earn at least thirty high-grade Qi stones a month—possibly more—without lifting a finger...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Li Haoran could gain at least thirty high-grade Yuan Stones per month, even more, for free...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group drew in a sharp breath—thirty high-grade Qi stones a month, free, as cultivation resources!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone drew in a sharp breath—thirty or more high-grade Yuan Stones per month, free cultivation resources!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jealous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Haoran was already a genius with exceptional talent; with such resources, his cultivation and strength would soar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, only Nan Gong Jue could barely match Li Haoran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after this duel, Nan Gong Jue might forever look up to Li Haoran...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Jiang glanced at Nan Gong Jue’s cold expression and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and the few beside him were close to Nan Gong Jue, part of his fixed training team, often going on missions together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His purpose in saying all this was simple: to goad Nan Gong Jue into challenging Li Haoran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To challenge him for those barbecue shops—for control of the outer-disciple gangs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fight for those barbecue stalls, fight for ownership of all the outer sect gangs!\u003C\u002Fp>",2584,"2026-06-21T06:04:04.528Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","35e023101b03f31b478d855fef1b0e3b6f24ff9d9a7bc0bda2f2038f7a77e93a","high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-154","high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-152",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhigh-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-cover.jpg"]