Chapter 14: The Four Dark Horses and the Wager

On the morning of the second day, under the clear skies at the hour of the boar in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, the remnants of last night's mist still lingered, not yet fully dispersed. The sunlight filtering through the spiritual energy-laden air revealed a Tyndall effect, imparting a dreamlike quality to the scene.

The plaza was as bustling as ever today, for the finals of the Ascension Tournament were about to commence. For the contestants, this was a moment that could determine their destinies. For the spectators below the stage, it was both an opportunity to learn about combat techniques and a chance to join in the excitement.

If you didn’t believe it, just look at the Charity Hall, which had already set up its betting stalls.

Lin Yang searched the crowd for Wan Xiaolou, eventually spotting him in front of one of the betting tables. Lin Yang made his way over and patted him on the shoulder. Wan Xiaolou turned and looked at Lin Yang with delighted surprise.

“Xiao Yang, you’re up so early today.”

“Aren’t you up even earlier?” Lin Yang remarked, a bit puzzled. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, I’m helping the Charity Hall drum up customers today,” Wan Xiaolou whispered conspiratorially. “Let me tell you, I get a spirit stone commission for every customer I bring in.”

“Luckily I know a lot of people.”

“If I bring in a few more, I can make quite a bit.” Wan Xiaolou looked very pleased.

“Want to help me? However many you bring in, that’s how many spirit stones you earn.” Wan Xiaolou tried to rope Lin Yang into his scheme.

“No need,” Lin Yang replied. “Did you compete yesterday?” he asked, curiosity in his tone.

At this, Wan Xiaolou looked rather dejected. “Don’t even mention it. Just my luck—I ran into a family disciple of the same level as me. But that family had several magical artifacts and a whole stack of talismans. As soon as he saw me, he started throwing them like crazy. If I hadn’t been quick-witted and jumped off the stage, I might not be here now.”

“Sigh…”

Lin Yang felt awkward for hitting a sore spot. “That is unfortunate, but I’m sure in five years’ time, your strength will be enough to make the finals.”

“This time it’s just a trial by fire. Life’s full of ups and downs, after all. There’s no rushing these things.”

With a sigh, Wan Xiaolou asked, “Forget it. What about you, Lin Daoist—did you advance?”

“I did. I faced a rogue cultivator, and he was only at the late stage of Qi Refinement.”

“Well then, congratulations!” Wan Xiaolou was genuinely pleased for Lin Yang.

“Just luck.” Lin Yang glanced at the crowded betting stall. “Wan Daoist, how exactly do these bets work? Are they really that appealing?”

Hearing Lin Yang’s question, Wan Xiaolou pulled him to the betting table. “Here’s how it works: you wager on who’ll take the top spot. The weaker candidates have higher payouts, while the stronger ones have lower odds.”

“So who has the highest odds?” Lin Yang asked with curiosity.

“I’m not sure myself.” Wan Xiaolou grabbed a younger member of the Charity Hall.

Initially, the young man looked annoyed at being dragged over, but spotting Wan Xiaolou, he immediately put on a fawning smile.

“Well, if it isn’t Master Wan! How may I help you?”

“Who are the dark horses in this year’s Ascension Tournament?” Wan Xiaolou asked bluntly.

“Master Wan, you’ve come to the right person—this year’s odds are my responsibility!” The young man thumped his chest proudly. “Say what you will, but I’m very reliable.”

“Cut the nonsense—who are they?”

“Oh, right. There’s Li Ming of the Li family, said to be a relative of a Golden Core cultivator from Yellow Maple Valley. He’s at the thirteenth level of Qi Refinement. He’s entered the tournament to gain the sect’s attention and hopes to earn a Foundation Establishment Pill. His odds are 1:1.4.”

“The second is Yan Bin of the Yan family, reportedly at the twelfth level of Qi Refinement. Nothing particularly special otherwise, but the Yan family’s ancestor is the only Golden Core cultivator not from a sect, so they have plenty of treasures. His odds are high too, 1:1.6.”

“Third is our boss, Duan Chenglong. He’s already reached the peak of Qi Refinement, and with his three spiritual roots, he only needs two Foundation Establishment Pills to succeed. He’s already preparing for the near-blood Forbidden Land. His odds are also 1:1.4.”

“Fourth is Lin Yang, known as the Talisman Boy Master from three years ago. Back then, using a slew of talismans he drew himself, he managed to defeat two late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators in front of Cheng Kun. Now, three years later, he’s at the eleventh level of Qi Refinement and is said to be able to craft top-grade first-tier talismans. His foundation far surpasses those so-called family disciples. His odds are also 1:1.4.” The young man kept chattering on. As for the remaining peak Qi Refinement cultivators, most were rogue cultivators who weren’t worth much attention, though their odds were quite high.

Hearing the evaluation of Lin Yang, Wan Xiaolou turned to him with a peculiar expression. “I didn’t know you had such skills.”

“Wan, we’ve only known each other for two days—how could you know everything?” Lin Yang replied. “Besides, we’ve only had one match so far, no need to reveal all my cards at once.”

“It’s always good to have a few aces up your sleeve for a surprise,” Lin Yang explained.

“True enough. But since you’re in the tournament, why not bet on yourself next time?” Wan Xiaolou’s train of thought caught Lin Yang off guard. What were they even talking about just now? Still, confident in his abilities, Lin Yang decided he might as well make some spirit stones.

“All right, since you’ve asked, I’ll put down 200 spirit stones for fun.” Lin Yang handed the stones to the young man.

Only then did the young man realize, from their conversation, that this was the very Lin Yang.

“Of course, Master Lin! I’ll take care of it right away. May you claim victory!”

“Xiao Yang, you’re certainly confident, but confident people are usually strong. I wish you a straight path to the top,” Wan Xiaolou said.

He was about to say more when the referee on the stage interrupted.

“All right, fellow Daoists, time is up. Will the more than 200 contestants who haven’t drawn lots yet please come up to the stage and pick a wooden token.”

“Farewell, Wan, I’m heading up.”

“Go on, quickly!”

Lin Yang walked up to the stage and drew a small wooden token from the box that shielded against spiritual sense.

He looked at the token in his hand—number eight.

Having drawn his lot, Lin Yang stepped down from the stage.

Once all the contestants had drawn their tokens, the referee announced, “Fellow contestants, please take a moment to prepare. The matches will begin in one minute.”

Lin Yang took a seat in the contestants’ section, which was quite spacious—enough for him to sit cross-legged and adjust his state.

But Lin Yang dared not actually meditate here. If someone suddenly attacked, there would be no time to cry over it.

After a quarter of an hour, ten referees took their positions, starting with the first.

“Numbers 1 through 20, please gather at Arena One.”

Hearing this, Lin Yang immediately flew to Arena One.

Once everyone was present, the referee said, “All right, from now on, number one versus number two, number three versus number four, and so on in order.”

“Contestants one and two, please step onto the stage.”

Two late-stage Qi Refinement rogue cultivators walked up and began their exciting match.

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