Chapter 169: Chapter 167: Defeating the Enemy in One Move

"What just happened?"

"Wasn’t Chen Chimei about to win? How did he suddenly die?"

"Fuck, I bet a million taels of Gold on him! My money..."

"Hahaha, what an upset! I made a killing on this one!"

Some celebrated, while others despaired.

This was the norm at the Martial Arts Arena, and everyone was used to it.

On the Observation Platform, Jiang Chen alone had won a billion taels of silver from his bet. Cui Zheng and Kumu had also each raked in five hundred million.

They had spent all their money just a few days ago searching for materials for Jiang Chen to refine the Second Revolution Tyrant Essence Pill. But now, their faces were filled with excitement and exhilaration as they stared fixedly at Shan Le and Shan Gang.

Cui Zheng said, "Well now, Elder Shan, you must have lost quite a bit on that last one, didn’t you?"

"Senior Brother, don’t you worry about him. Elder Shan has plenty of money!" Kumu grinned and looked at the gloomy-faced Shan Le. "Young Master Shan, you lost your bet with Young Master Jiang. That’s ten million taels of Gold! Tsk, tsk, the Shan Family is truly one of the great families of the Imperial Capital. To lose tens of millions of taels of Gold without batting an eye... Truly admirable!"

’Without batting an eye? My ass! Are you blind? Can’t you see my face is blacker than charcoal?’ Shan Le silently fumed, his expression dark as he ground his teeth.

If it weren’t for Kumu’s and Cui Zheng’s status, he would have already flown into a rage and started throwing punches.

This was ten million taels of Gold!

Even as a young master of the Shan Family, if his family found out he’d lost this much money, he’d be skinned alive if not killed. At this thought, Shan Le’s gaze turned sinister as he looked toward Jiang Chen and said in a low voice, "Country bumpkin, do you dare to make another bet with me?"

"Still want to bet? Do you even have any money left?" Jiang Chen asked, his eyes narrowing.

He wasn’t worried about Shan Le welshing on the debt.

After all...

The Martial Arts Arena had its own rules. Once a bet was placed, all accounts had to be settled before leaving. Otherwise, you would be detained by the arena. Not even a Prince of the Royal Family could defy the rules of the Martial Arts Arena.

Shan Le snorted coldly. "My grandfather is the Grand Elder of the Shan Family. You think I don’t have money? This time, I’ll put up one hundred million taels of Gold. If you lose, not only will you have to spit out everything you’ve won, but you’ll also have to kneel before me, kowtow, and admit you were wrong. If you’re a man, you’ll take this bet. Do you dare?"

Shan Gang’s expression changed. He opened his mouth, but after a moment of hesitation, he said nothing.

Xiaoling, on the other hand, looked eager to see it happen.

Jiang Chen’s face slowly darkened, a cold light glinting in his eyes. "Do you have any idea that what you’re doing right now is digging your own grave?"

"Digging my own grave? Hmph, I think you’re just afraid to lose and don’t dare to accept my challenge!" Shan Le said with a confident expression.

Jiang Chen shook his head slightly.

’This guy’s cultivation isn’t weak, having reached the Peak of the True Martial Realm Sixth Stage. But for someone with his cultivation to provoke me? Isn’t he just asking to die?’

However, when it came to his enemies, Jiang Chen never showed any mercy!

Jiang Chen grinned. "I’ll take that bet!"

"Brat, you’ll soon realize how stupid your decision was. I’m going to beat you so badly you won’t know what hit you!"

Shan Le sneered, then summoned an attendant from the Martial Arts Arena, arranged the match between the two of them, and began placing bets.

「A short while later.」

The next scheduled duel had ended, and it was Jiang Chen and Shan Le’s turn.

The referee cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Because two of our guests also wish to participate in a Combat Duel, we at the Martial Arts Arena have decided to slightly adjust the fighting order. Next up, please welcome Shan Le and Jiang Chen to the stage!"

Shan Le slowly rose, hovering in the air and looking down on Jiang Chen from above. He taunted, "Country bumpkin, I’ll be waiting for you on the stage. Don’t you dare get cold feet and back out!"

SWOOSH!

Like an eagle striking from the sky, Shan Le flew swiftly down onto the stage.

The referee’s resonant voice echoed throughout the Martial Arts Arena. "Entering the stage first is the genius from the Imperial Capital’s Shan Family, Shan Le! He has awakened a Profound Tier Sixth Grade Martial Soul. At twenty-one years old, his cultivation has already reached the Peak of the True Martial Realm Sixth Stage! Let’s give Shan Le our warmest round of applause!"

"Whoa, go, Eldest Young Master Shan! I’ve bet a huge sum on you!"

"The Shan Family is a major clan, and Shan Le’s Martial Soul is Profound Tier Sixth Grade. His combat power far exceeds others at the same level. That Jiang Chen guy no one’s ever heard of is guaranteed to lose!"

One expert after another placed their bets.

Shan Le was a fairly well-known genius in the Imperial Capital.

Naturally, he had many supporters!

The referee continued, "Next, let’s welcome Jiang Chen! Jiang Chen comes from Yandu City in Yulan Mansion. His Martial Soul information is unknown, his age is unknown, and his cultivation is at the Early Stage of the True Martial Realm Sixth Stage. Let’s give a warm welcome to Jiang Chen!"

Jiang Chen rose to his full height.

Xiao Qingyi watched him, her eyes filled with deep affection. Her light and ethereal voice was especially pleasing to the ear. "Go, Brother Chen!"

"Qingyi, remember to place your bet later!" Jiang Chen grinned.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he stepped through the air and landed on the stage.

Compared to the fervent reception for Shan Le, Jiang Chen’s entrance was met with only a few half-hearted claps. "Early Stage of the True Martial Realm Sixth Stage? Isn’t he just coming up here to die?"

"Yandu City in Yulan Mansion? That sounds like some remote little town. There’s nothing to see with this guy!"

"Better to bet on Shan Le. His odds are much better!"

The experts who had been waiting on the sidelines all rushed to place their bets.

When the final tally was calculated, the total stakes for this battle reached a staggering eight hundred million taels of Gold, with over seven hundred million of that bet on Shan Le.

Clearly, everyone believed Shan Le’s victory was a foregone conclusion!

Xiao Qingyi, Cui Zheng, and the others had just bet all their money on Jiang Chen. After glancing at the betting pool, she couldn’t help but say angrily, "These people have no foresight at all. How could they think Brother Chen will lose?"

Cui Zheng laughed. "Madam, this is what they call ’failing to recognize a diamond in the rough.’ They’ll be crying with regret soon enough!"

Kumu nodded in agreement repeatedly.

Xiaoling retorted indignantly, "What do you know? This is the will of the people! My cousin Shan Le will definitely win!"

Xiao Qingyi glanced at Xiaoling and simply smiled without saying a word.

In her heart, her Brother Chen was invincible, unbeatable, and irreplaceable!

「On the stage.」

Shan Le also glanced at the betting board and roared with laughter. "Country bumpkin, see that? The people are on my side! Everyone thinks I’m going to win!"

"You talk too much. Let’s get this over with," Jiang Chen said flatly.

Shan Le snorted, drawing his weapon. It was a pair of Golden Double Maces, gleaming brightly—a Profound Tier Intermediate Profound Weapon. He glanced at the unarmed Jiang Chen and frowned. "Where’s your weapon?"

Jiang Chen shrugged. "You’re no match for me. You don’t qualify for me to draw my weapon!"

"What?"

Shan Le’s face darkened, his gaze turning utterly sinister. ’To think I’d be looked down upon like this!’ He snorted coldly and said, "Arrogant country bumpkin, you’ll pay the price for your audacity!"

The referee also glanced at Jiang Chen and shook his head slightly, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

He clearly thought Jiang Chen was being far too arrogant.

He then announced, "Let the battle... begin!"

SWISH—

Shan Le attacked at once. The Wandering Dragon Inscriptions on his Golden Double Maces erupted, transforming into two torrents of golden True Essence that surged toward Jiang Chen. "Two Dragons Fighting for the Pearl!"

BOOM! 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The two streaks of golden mace-light resembled two ferocious Golden Dragons, baring their fangs as they flew through the air with terrifying might.

Facing Shan Le’s powerful attack, Jiang Chen merely raised his hands.

A brilliant golden light shimmered in his palms as he reached forward, his hands shaped like dragon claws.

CRACK! CRACK!

With two sharp cracks, the two ferocious streaks of golden mace-light were crushed in his grip.

Shan Le’s expression changed abruptly. "How can you be so strong? I don’t believe a country bumpkin like you has this kind of power! Die—Dragon Breaking Mace Technique!"

"One Finger Shatters the Earth!"

A calm voice suddenly rang out as a golden finger cut through the air.

BOOM—

It was utterly devastating!

The pair of Golden Double Maces were sent flying backward, and the golden finger slammed viciously into Shan Le, sending him flying as well.

"WAAH..."

Shan Le spat out a mouthful of blood and fell right off the stage.

One move, and Shan Le was defeated!

Seeing this, the entire Martial Arts Arena, from top to bottom, fell silent, every face filled with utter shock...