"Next round: Cheetah versus Boarzilla!"
Luke Lu announced loudly.
Two cages were pushed out from the openings on both sides.
One cage held an agile, sleek cheetah; the other contained a jet-black wild boar.
"So that's Boarzilla! It looks fierce as hell!" Everyone in the stands focused their eyes on the Boar King.
Its thick tusks made it look extremely dangerous, and its dense, heavy coat radiated an intimidating aura.
"You have to bet on Boarzilla for this round. With a wild boar of that size, even a tiger or lion would get flipped over, let alone a cheetah!"
"This one's a sure win!"
Everyone in the stands was laser-focused on the Boar King, excitement written all over their faces.
But plenty of people looked disappointed, since they'd already lost all their points in the previous rounds.
The Boar King's beady eyes glinted coldly, while the cheetah bared its sharp fangs at the boar and let out a low growl.
"Alright, everyone, this round we're going with a three-match streak!"
Just as everyone was getting ready to place their bets, Luke Lu suddenly made the announcement.
As soon as he finished speaking, two more cages were pushed out from the same opening where the cheetah had appeared.
Both cages were covered with black cloth, making it impossible to see what was inside.
"Three-match streak?"
"No way, they still do that? Is this for real?"
The moment Luke Lu spoke, the stands erupted with chatter and excitement.
Some people who were about to bet on the Boar King suddenly hesitated.
"What's a three-match streak?"
Evan Lin frowned slightly and asked.
"The three-match streak is a special rule in the Beast Arena. It means the Boar King has to win three solo fights in a row—not just beat the cheetah, but also whatever's in those other two cages—to count as the winner."
"Of course, if you bet on the Boar King and it wins all three matches, your points get multiplied by six. But if the Boar King loses, your points go straight to zero."
"If you bet on the three challengers and they win, your points also get multiplied by six."
Shawn Shi explained to Evan, looking excited.
"It's super rare to see the three-match streak in the Beast Arena. Can't believe we're actually getting to witness it today!"
Shawn's face was full of excitement.
"Uncle Gu, what should we bet on?" Yvonne Zhu was also excited, clearly interested in this unusual format.
"The real challenge of the three-match streak isn't just winning three times in a row—it's figuring out what's actually inside those two other cages."
As he spoke, Bryce Gu's gaze fell on the two cages shrouded in heavy black cloth. He seemed deep in thought, then looked over at Evan Lin and finally at Luke Lu, who stood not far away.
Bryce Gu noticed that Luke Lu was watching their group and suddenly understood something. He turned to Evan Lin and asked, "What are you planning to bet on, little brother?"
Right now, Bryce Gu and Yvonne Zhu each had forty points.
Evan Lin had one hundred sixty points—far more than either of them.
"Boarzilla."
After a moment's thought, Evan Lin glanced a few times at the Boar King in its cage, its beady eyes glinting coldly, and finally made his decision.
"Sir, are you sure you don't want to reconsider? Boarzilla is definitely strong and will probably beat the cheetah, but there are still two more cages after that." Shawn Shi hesitated after hearing Evan's decision.
"The last few times they ran the three-match streak, the three challengers won. After all, three fights in a row is just too much for a Boar King."
Shawn looked at pipeline, still nervous despite Evan's previous winning streaks.
Betting everything on one go—if you lose, all your earlier gains are gone.
"One hundred sixty points. Boarzilla."
Evan Lin spoke calmly. Shawn Shi and Dong Zi gritted their teeth and decided to follow his lead, betting everything as well.
After all, their points had all been bought with Evan's money anyway.
"In that case, we'll put our forty points on the three challengers," Bryce Gu said with a slight smile.
Yvonne Zhu's face lit up. She glanced at Evan and snorted, "Uncle Gu never picks wrong. Whatever you just won, you're about to cough it all up!"
Hearing Bryce Gu bet on the three challengers, Shawn Shi immediately felt a bit of regret.
To Shawn, Bryce Gu always seemed a little unfathomable.
"You might've won a bunch just now, but this round you're gonna lose it all. Shawn, you're getting wiped out and sent packing again!" Chester Zhang laughed loudly.
Shawn shot him a look. "Like you have any room to talk—you already lost everything."
"That's different. My family's loaded. What do you have? Nothing!" Chester snorted coldly.
"No more bets! Cages open!"
Luke Lu glanced over at their group, then raised his voice to speak.
"Uncle Gu, why are you more optimistic about the three challengers?" Yvonne Zhu glanced at the cool-faced Evan Lin, then quietly asked Bryce Gu beside her.
"Winning the three-match streak isn't just about what's in the cages—it's about Luke Lu himself," Bryce Gu said with a slight smile. "One hundred sixty points multiplied by six is nine hundred sixty. If the Boar King wins, that kid will be able to redeem the Drunken Cloud Plum."
"I doubt that's what Luke Lu wants to see most. So what's in the cages isn't the key—the key is which side that kid picks."
"If he bets on Boarzilla, the three challengers will win. If he bets on the three, Boarzilla will win."
Bryce Gu spoke calmly, seeing through everything.
Yvonne Zhu nodded as if enlightened. Seeing Evan Lin's calm expression, she felt much more satisfied.
Just wait—acting all high and mighty now, but when you lose all your points, we'll see who's laughing!
Yvonne Zhu snorted, feeling completely vindicated inside.
The two cages opened. The Boar King stomped its hind legs and charged straight at the cheetah. The cheetah moved lightning-fast, leaping high just as the Boar King barreled in, its claws slashing down on the boar's back.
But those sharp claws couldn't tear through the Boar King's hide—just left a faint scratch on its back.
"That boar's hide is way too thick!" someone in the stands blurted, stunned by the scene.
"The Boar King spends every day in the brush, rubbing its back against tree trunks. Over time, all that pine resin has built up into armor tougher than steel. Ordinary claws can't break through its defense," an expert explained, his eyes full of confidence as he looked at the Boar King.