Chapter 1994: A Bet
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The moment Duan Ling Tian finished speaking, under Yang Wen’s gaze that was filled with disbelief, Duan Ling Tian signed his name and left his handprint on the Death Pact.
“The Death Pact is done!” As soon as Duan Ling Tian signed the Death Pact, the Bronze Flame Elder from the Palace Of Death cried out, “Yang Wen and Duan Ling Tian will enter the Death Arena and engage in a Death Duel in an hour!”
‘In an hour?’ Duan Ling Tian was stunned and baffled. He did not understand why they had to wait an hour before engaging in a Death Duel.
Was there a need to wait this long?
“In the next hour, our Palace Of Death will become the banker and set up a place to bet for the Death Duel between you and Yang Wen! If you’re confident, you can bet all your Contribution Points on yourself. Naturally, if you die, you’ll still lose all your Contributions Points!” Nie Zui said indifferently as though he could read Duan Ling Tian’s mind, “For this reason, usually those who enter the Death Arena will bet all of their Contribution Points on themselves!”
Duan Ling Tian finally understood. He did not expect a serious place like the Palace of Death had such a tradition.
“The Palace Of Death won’t earn any Contribution Points from this. We’re merely acting as the middle person. We’ll calculate the odds based on the situation. Naturally, the elders from the Palace of Death are allowed to place a bet as well if they want to,” Nie Zui continued to add.
“This means other Saint Land disciples are allowed to bet, Elder Nie Zui?” Duan Ling Tian asked in surprise.
“Of course!” Nie Zui nodded. “Otherwise, what do you think the seats in the Death Arena are for? If you want to place a bet, you can look for any of the Bronze Flame Elders. After you place your bet and enter the Death Arena, the other Saint Land disciples will then be allowed to enter the Death Arena to place their bets before taking their seats. Before I give an order, both of you are not allowed to make a move even if you’ve already entered the Death Arena! Otherwise, the person who makes the first move will be severely punished by the Palace of Death!” His voice became stern when he reached this part of the sentence. “Any disruption of the tradition of the Palace of Death is strictly forbidden!”
Duan Ling Tian nodded before he walked away to look for the Bronze Flame Elders to place his bet.
‘Unfortunately, I only have 100 Contribution Points.’ When Duan Ling Tian was placing his bet, he could not help but sigh. He thought to himself, ‘I can only hope the others place their bets on Yang Wen. In that case, I’ll be able to win quite a number of Contribution PointsI!”
After Duan Ling Tian finished placing his bet, he entered the Death Arena.
Meanwhile, Nie Zui looked at Yang Wen who stood rooted to the ground with a solemn expression. He fiercely prompted Yang Wen and caused him to regain his senses. After he regained his senses, he quickly placed his bet as well. After that, he entered the Death Arena, standing opposite of Duan Ling Tian, and glared at him.
“Duan Ling Tian, although I don’t know where you get your courage from to sign the Death Pact, I have to tell you that I’ll definitely kill you today to avenge my younger brother and relieve my father of his hatred!” Yang Wen said with a grave expression.
Unlike Yang Wen, Duan Ling Tian’s expression remained calm. When he heard Yang Wen’s words, he replied in a speed that was neither fast nor slow, “Everybody can boast. It remains to be seen if you have the capability to kill me!”
“I’d like to see if you’ll still be able to maintain your composure after an hour!” Yang Wen smirked.
“Then I suppose you’ll have to wait and see,” Duan Ling Tian replied indifferently. At the same time, he turned to look outside the Palace of Death.
When Duan Ling Tian looked outside, he saw the Saint Land disciples being given some sort of instruction. They all swarmed to one place, causing the Palace Of Death to look like a bustling market.
“Duan Ling Tian actually signed the Death Pact?” Many of the Saint Land disciples had a baffled and disbelieving expression on their faces. Even after a long while, they did not regain their senses.
“I really don’t know where he gets his courage from! To think he actually signed the Death Pact! He’s just seeking death!” Some Saint Land disciples snorted disdainfully. They thought Duan Ling Tian had overestimated his own strength when he signed the Death Pact!
“I think Duan Ling Tian is just lucky. Since he had arrived in the Fire Worship Sect, he had offended the Black Turtle Sanctum’s First Silver Flame Elder Li An, but he didn’t suffer any losses so far. Based on the following incidents, he doesn’t seem like a person who would do something that would make him suffer losses!” A Saint Land disciple recalled the incidents that had happened to Duan Ling Tian after he arrived at the Fire Worship Sect.
However, this Saint Land disciple’s words made many people mock him.
“What? Don’t tell me you think he’s stronger than Senior Brother Yang Wen? You think he’ll be able to kill Senior Brother Yang Wen in this Death Duel?”
“Stop joking! The reason Duan Ling Tian has never suffered from any losses since he came to the Fire Worship Sect is due to his strength. He has yet to encounter a tough opponent! As for Elder Li An, that’s just because it’s not convenient for him to make a move due to his position. Otherwise, how do you think he’s able to survive up until now?”
“That’s right! If you think Duan Ling Tian will win today, you can place your bet on him. However, I’m afraid your Contribution Points will only go down the drain!”
“That’s right! Since you have so much faith in Duan Ling Tian, you might as well place your bet on him. We’ll earn more Contribution Points as well that way!”
Even this Saint Land disciple did not expect his words would bring about so much mockery from the other Saint Land disciples. He immediately fell silent.
As for placing his bet on Duan Ling Tian, he was not that stupid to do so!
Earlier, he had just casually made a remark without much thought. In his opinion, the chances of Yang Wen winning the Death Duel was much higher. After all, Yang Wen was a true disciple of their Fire Worship Sect’s Saint Land and was even a Saint Celestial Stage powerhouse!
As for Duan Ling Tian, although he had mastered a few high-grade Divine Abilities and was quite strong, due to his yellow Innate Spiritual Root, it would be difficult for him to surpass Yang Wen, let alone kill him.
“I’ll bet 300 Contribution Points that Senior Brother Yang Wen will win!”
“I’ll bet 500 Contribution Points on Senior Brother Yang Wen!”
“I’ll go all out and bet everything I have. I’ll bet 3,300 Contribution Points on Senior Brother Yang Wen!”
As the group of Saint Land disciples swarmed in to place their bets, the two Palace Of Death’s Bronze Flame Elders began to get busy accepting the bets and recording the betting information of all the Saint Land disciples.
Even after 15 minutes went by, none of the Saint Land disciples had bet on Duan Ling Tian! Based on this, one could see much they looked down on Duan Ling Tian.
“Nobody bet on Duan Ling Tian?” This matter soon gained the attention of some Saint Land disciples. “In that case, how are we going to earn Contribution Points?”
“That’s right! The final odds of the bet made by the Palace Of Death is calculated based on the number of bets placed on both sides. If everybody bets on Senior Brother Yang Wen, in the end, we’ll only receive the number of Contribution Points we have bet and not a single point more!”
“Is there anyone who wants to bet on Duan Ling Tian? If this continues on, we won’t be able to earn anything at all!”
“Do you think we’re idiots that we’ll place our bets on Duan Ling Tian? That’s like giving away our Contribution Points!”
The group of Saint Land disciples burst into a commotion again. Nobody regarded Duan Ling Tian highly, and all of them were certain he would die today!
“Although Duan Ling Tian’s pretty strong, he only has a yellow Innate Spiritual Root. With the limit his Innate Spiritual Root imposes on him, he won’t be able to achieve anything great even if he has mastered a few high-grade Divine Abilities!”
“That’s right! In this situation, only an idiot would bet on him!”
“It can’t go on like this! If all of us bet on Senior Brother Yang Wen, we won’t be able to earn a single Contribution Point.”
“What to do? Why don’t you bet on Duan Ling Tian instead?”
“I’m not an idiot okay?!”
The Saint Land disciples were snapping at one another since nobody was willing to bet on Duan Ling Tian when a voice resonated in the air, attracting the other Saint Land disciples’ attention.
“I’ll bet 100 Contribution Points on Duan Ling Tian!” A Saint Land disciple took the lead and bet on Duan Ling Tian.
Although it was only 100 Contribution Points, the eyes of the other Saint Land disciples brightened up immediately. It was fine as long as someone took the lead to bet on Duan Ling Tian. Eventually, there would be more people who follow suit. If that happened, they no longer had to worry about not earning any Contribution Points!
It did not matter even if they only earned a little Contribution Points. It was a sure win anyway.
As the saying went, ‘No matter how small it is, it is still a piece of meat’.
“Isn’t he Sun De?”
“Sun De? The Saint Land disciple who successfully comprehended the Black Turtle’s Barrier before Duan Ling Tian?”
“That’s him! I heard the reason he successfully comprehended the Black Turtle’s Barrier was due to Duan Ling Tian unknowingly helping him. No wonder he would bet on Duan Ling Tian. As it turns out, he’s just returning the favor!”
“He’s smart. He probably knows this is the last chance he’ll get to repay Duan Ling Tian’s favor. After today, he won’t be able to do so anymore even if he wants to.”
Many Saint Land disciples recognized the Saint Land disciple, Sun De, who placed his bet on Duan Ling Tian.
Sun De looked at Duan Ling Tian who was in the Death Arena and smiled wryly as he said through Voice Transmission, “Junior Brother Ling Tian, I’ve just arrived at the Saint Land, and this is all of the Contribution Points that I have.”
It was Duan Ling Tian who told him to place a bet on him.
Chapter 1995: I Bet 100,000 Contribution Points On Duan Ling Tian!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“It’s alright as long as you earn something,” Duan Ling Tian replied Sun De through Voice Transmission. He could tell Sun De did not have high hopes that he would win, and he knew that Sun De was willing to bet on him was for other reasons.
After that, Duan Ling Tian looked at Guan Xiu whom he had asked for directions from ten days ago and who had also kindly advised him out of concern today.
Just as Duan Ling Tian was about to remind Guan Xiu through Voice Transmission to place a bet on him, he noticed Guan Xiu had already beaten him to it. “I’ll bet 3,500 Contribution Points on Senior Brother Duan Ling Tian!”
Without needing Duan Ling Tian to prompt him, Guan Xiu placed a bet of 3,500 Contribution Points on him. A sense of warmth instantly enveloped Duan Ling Tian’s heart. At this moment, he felt a sense of acknowledgment from Guan Xiu. This made him feel very comfortable.
As soon as Guan Xiu placed his bet, the entire place fell silent immediately.
One by one, the Saint Land disciples shifted their attention to Guan Xiu with a shocked expression on their faces.
“He bet 3,500 Contribution Points all on Duan Ling Tian? Isn’t he afraid of losing it all?!”
“I know him! He’s called Guan Xiu. He could be considered as a veteran in the Saint Land. However, I’m afraid 3,500 Contribution Points are all he has. How courageous of him! To think he’s not afraid of losing at all!”
“No matter what, it’s a good thing he and Sun De have taken the initiative to place their bets on Duan Ling Tian. I don’t have to worry about not earning any Contribution Points anymore!”
“You have a point!”
Many of the Saint Land disciples chuckled.
“Guan Xiu, you’re crazy!” Some of the Saint Land disciples who knew Guan Xiu stared at him with their mouths agape, thinking he had gone crazy.
In their opinion, only an idiot would bet on Duan Ling Tian in such a case where the winner was obvious.
However, Guan Xiu merely ignored these people’s questions. Instead, he looked at Duan Ling Tian immediately and transmitted his voice to him. “Senior Brother Ling Tian, based on the current situation, there’s nothing I can help you with. I have bet all the Contribution Points I have on my crystal card on you to support you! All the best!”
“Today, I’ll definitely let you earn a lot of points in return!” Duan Ling Tian looked at Guan Xiu reassuringly before he looked away.
It had to be said that the other Saint Land disciples had overestimated Sun De and Guan Xiu in thinking others would follow in their footsteps.
After Guan Xiu bet 3,500 Contribution Points on Duan Ling Tian, although there were some people who placed their bets on Duan Ling Tian, the total number of points did not even add up to 3,500 Contribution Points.
“The number of bets placed on Duan Ling Tian is just too little, right?”
“It’s fine. It’s better than nothing.”
“The betting odds from the Palace Of Death must be absurd today. I suspect the number of Contribution Points that people placed on Senior Brother Yang Wen totals up to 800,000, if not 1,000,000 Contribution Points!”
“I think so too!”
“Although I only bet 100 Contribution Points, I’m sure I’ll still earn a little when Senior Brother Yang Wen wins! Since this is a sure-win bet, I’ll be happy with however many points I get in return!”
“I bet 3,000 Contribution Points. However, the betting odds will be low so I guess I’ll probably earn a little more than ten Contribution Points.”
The group of Saint Land disciples discussed among themselves. At the same time, they made their way toward the seats around the Death Arena. After they were seated, their eyes were glued to the two men standing in the middle of the Death Arena, waiting for the Death Duel to start.
After about 45 minutes had passed, everyone had placed their bets. The Death Duel would start in about 15 minutes.
During these 15 minutes, the Palace of Death still accepted bets while they calculated the odds that would be revealed to the crowd.
“There are about a total of 6,000 Contribution Points bet on Duan Ling Tian while there are at least several tens of thousands or even millions of Contribution Points bet on Senior Brother Yang Wen! The betting odd must be really absurd!”
“Indeed, hopefully, it will be at least be 200 to 1.”
“Initially, I thought I would be able to earn some points. I realized how absurd I was being when I saw almost everyone placed their bets on Senior Brother Yang Wen. Looks like not everyone is stupid!”
The group of Saint Land disciples on the spectator seats discussed among themselves. All of them spoke about the bets. They were looking forward to seeing what the odds would be like.
“I hope the few elders from the Palace of Death will also bet. Hopefully, they’ll place their bets on Duan Ling Tian. Otherwise, the betting odds would be terrible!” A Saint disciple suddenly said eagerly when he remembered the elders from the Palace Of Death could also place bets.
“I think it’s highly impossible! The elders from the Palace Of Death are all smart. It’s impossible they would bet on Duan Ling Tian!” Another Saint Land disciple said, effectively extinguishing the other Saint Land disciple’s hope. It was as though he had poured a bucket of cold water on him.
“I bet 100,000 Contribution Points on Duan Ling Tian!” Without warning, a cold voice rang from outside the Palace Of Death. The crowd of people was baffled. Even the custodian of the Palace of Death, Nie Zui, could not help but widen his eyes.
Soon after, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, two figures appeared side by side in the Palace of Death.
They were two young men. Moreover, these two young men resembled each other slightly.
“Senior Brother Liu Mu?” Duan Ling Tian’s gaze landed on the young man on the right. He was shocked as well. He did not think he would encounter that person here.
The Saint Land assessment had not begun, right? Why was he here wearing the Saint Land disciples’ uniform?
This person was none other than Liu Mu, a White Tiger Sanctum’s disciple, whom Duan Ling Tian met when he went to the White Tiger Sanctum to look for Zhu Lu Qi.
At that time, Liu Mu’s cultivation base was already at the Mastery Quintessential Saint Stage so it would not be hard for him to pass the Saint Land assessment that was around the corner.
Duan Ling Tian had also thought of meeting Liu Mu again, but he thought that it would be after the Saint Land assessment. He did not expect he would be able to meet Liu Mu again so soon.
“It’s Senior Brother Liu Yun!”
“It’s really Senior Brother Liu Yun! Who’s that Saint Land disciple standing next to him? He even resembles Senior Brother Liu Yun?”
“I heard that Senior Brother Liu Yun has a cousin in the Four Symbols Sanctum’s White Tiger Sanctum. Could it be that he’s Senior Brother Liu Yun’s cousin? The Saint Land assessment has not taken place yet, right? Why is he here?”
While Duan Ling Tian was surprised by Liu Mu’s appearance, most of the Saint Land disciples were surprised by the presence of the young man next to Liu Mu.
Even Yang Wen, who was standing opposite Duan Ling Tian, looked at the young man beside Liu Mu with a hint of dread in his eyes.
Similarly, Liu Yun was also a true disciple. However, in comparison, Liu Yun was much more famous than him!
In the Fire Worship Sect’s Saint Land, there was a ranking for true disciples that was known as the True Ranking. There were 100 places on the ranking. Only 100 of the strongest true disciples among the over 170 disciples were ranked.
Yang Wen was not qualified to be ranked on the True Ranking, but Liu Yun was already ranked at the 27th place on the True Ranking since a long time ago. He was an elite powerhouse among the true disciples in the Fire Worship Sect.
For this reason, Liu Yun’s appearance had caused a great commotion.
“Why’s Senior Brother Liu Yun here? Moreover, he even placed a bet of 100,000 Contribution Points on Duan Ling Tian! He’s not joking, right?” Under the perplexed gaze of many Saint Land disciples, Liu Yun went to look for the Bronze Flame Elders of the Palace of Death to place his bet. He took out his crystal card and directly bet 100,000 Contribution Points.
From the beginning until the end, not a frown could be seen on his face at all.
“Senior Brother Liu Yun is so confident in Duan Ling Tian’s ability?”
“My goodness! Now that Senior Brother Liu Yun has placed his bet, I feel a little regretful for placing all my Contribution Points on Senior Brother Yang Wen!”
“I’m actually thinking about placing a bet on Duan Ling Tian now since Senior Brother Liu Yun regards him highly enough to bet 100,000 Contribution Points on him!”
Many Saint Land disciples were itching to place their bets again when something happened…
Whoosh!
Duan Ling Tian who was originally standing in the Death Arena suddenly flew out without warning toward the young man who came with Liu Yun.
“Senior Brother Liu Mu, when did you come to the Saint Land? Not only that, but you even became a Saint Land disciple!” Duan Ling Tian asked in surprise as he looked at Liu Mu.
Although he had only met Liu Mu once, they discovered that they get along very well and became fast friends.
Due to this reason, he was pleasantly surprised when he saw Liu Mu showing up in the Palace of Death.
“Junior Brother Ling Tian, don’t tell me you’re only one who’s allowed to comprehend the Divine Ability of your Sanctum? Am I not allowed to successfully comprehend the Divine Ability from the White Tiger Sanctum?” Liu Mu chuckled.
As it turned out, Liu Mu became a Saint Land disciple because he had successfully comprehended the treasured Divine Ability from the White Tiger Sanctum.
“Of course not! I’m just a little surprised,” Duan Ling Tian smiled awkwardly.
“You’re Duan Ling Tian?” At the same time, Liu Yun who had just finished placing his bet returned to Liu Mu’s side. He looked at Duan Ling Tian nonchalantly as he said in a cold but calm voice, “My cousin told me to bet my Contribution Points on you. I hope that you won’t let him or me down!”
After he said that, without even waiting for Duan Ling Tian to reply, he flew toward a section of seats in the Death Arena. The seats here had a great view and had already been taken up by people.
However, upon seeing Liu Yun making his way there, the group of Saint Land disciples who were sitting there quickly made way for him as though he was some kind of plague.
“Junior Brother Ling Tian, my cousin’s temper is like this, so please don’t blame him.” Liu Mu looked at Duan Ling Tian and smiled apologetically.