Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil's words instantly piqued everyone's interest, and the chatter started up again. Even a fool would bet on Evan Chu losing—an early-stage God-King going up against a mid-stage God-Emperor? That's something that just doesn't happen in the God Realm.
Even though Evan Chu had just managed to kill that late-stage God-King, there was a lot of luck and trickery involved. Facing a God-Emperor, he'd be dead for sure. So Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil's bet basically meant handing out Violet Cloud Crystals for free. No one was going to miss out on a deal like that.
Sect Master Shangguan glanced at Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil and said, "Are you sure you want to set up this wager? Then please lay out the rules for everyone. I think we're all very interested—this sect master wants in too."
"The rules are simple. In a moment, I'll have people set up a few betting stations. Rainbow Court is hosting, so if you bet on Evan Chu to win, it's ten-to-one odds. If you bet on Young Guild Master Gavin Cloud to win, it's three-to-one. Everyone knows one is an early-stage God-King and the other is a mid-stage God-Emperor—the gap is so huge it's basically not worth betting on.
But I have full confidence in Evan Chu, so I'm making this wager for fun. Minimum bet is ten thousand Violet Cloud Crystals, maximum is fifty million. So you'd better think carefully before betting." Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil said.
Soon, three tables appeared on the arena, each staffed by a Rainbow Court elder handling the bets. Instantly, the crowd surged forward—all of them bet on Young Guild Master Gavin Cloud. Even though the odds were low, it was basically guaranteed profit. Even a fool would bet that way.
The betting lasted for almost half an hour before it finally ended. Sect Master Shangguan said, "I told you I'd join in too. I'll bet fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals on Drifting Cloud Guild. Even at three-to-one, that's still over ten million profit. Meat is meat, even if it's just a mosquito's worth."
"I'm just worried you'll be heartbroken when you lose your fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals!" Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil sneered.
At that moment, Evan Chu strolled over, smiling. "I wonder if I'm allowed to bet on myself? I want to bet on my own victory—I'll put up fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals. If I lose or get killed, consider it my way of spreading some wealth. But if I survive or win, doesn't that mean I'll have five hundred million Violet Cloud Crystals? That's a deal too good to pass up."
Both of them were stunned. Everyone knew how much Evan Chu had spent at the auction, but now he could still throw out fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals? That was just shocking. How could a newly ascended God-Realm cultivator possibly have so much wealth?
Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil smiled, "Since you want to place a bet, of course I'm happy to oblige. But this is fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals we're talking about—you'd better think it through."
"I've thought it through. There's enough for fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals in here. Please have a look, Mistress." Evan Chu finished speaking and produced a storage ring, packed with both God Stones and Violet Cloud Crystals.
Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil glanced inside the ring, and her expression changed slightly. She saw a trove of God Stones and God Crystals, and the lowest grade was top-tier God Stone.
God Crystals aren't something just anyone can own—even the Ten Great Powers' disciples might not have many. Rainveil grew even more suspicious of Evan Chu's background, but now wasn't the time to ask.
"The amount is right. If you're not afraid of losing all your Violet Cloud Crystals, then I won't say more. Honestly, I do think you might win, but your opponent is much stronger than you. You'll have to rely on yourself." Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil said.
"Don't worry, Mistress. I've got my own measure. If I really can't beat him, so what? I've got the Ethereal Divine Shuttle on me—worst case, I just run for it. I'm pretty confident I can keep myself safe." Evan Chu replied calmly, but his real aim was to let Vice Sect Master Shangguan know.
"In that case, go ahead and have a proper duel with Young Guild Master Gavin Cloud. Let's see if your fifty million Violet Cloud Crystals can turn into five hundred million, or if I'll be the one raking in more crystals." Vice Sect Master Shangguan laughed.
With that, the crowd left, clearing the arena for Evan Chu and Young Guild Master Gavin Cloud. Evan gripped the Snowbound Divine Sword tightly—he couldn't afford a single slip. He couldn't allow himself to be injured, and had to defeat his opponent. If he could use Absolute Cleave, he'd be confident of victory.
But right now, Absolute Cleave was off the table, and with his current strength, he couldn't use it even if he wanted to. The only option was the fifth form of the Wind-God Sword Art—but Evan decided to start with the fourth form to catch Gavin off guard, then go stealth and unleash the domineering fifth form.
Even if he couldn't kill Gavin outright, he could at least wound him badly. He couldn't afford to offend Drifting Cloud Guild any further—he already had enough enemies, and stacking up more would only make future vengeance harder. He had to endure and play it smart.
Gavin Cloud stood there, clutching a blazing red longsword—obviously a fire-attribute divine weapon. He glanced at Evan and sneered, "Kid, if you kneel and beg for mercy right now, maybe I'll let you off. But once we start, you're dead for sure. Don't say I didn't give you a chance."
"Can you stop with the big talk? I'm a practical guy. If you really think you can kill me, save the boasting for after you've done it. Sure, mid-stage God-Emperor is strong, but you think beating a so-called 'ant' at early God-King Realm is something to brag about? Please, that's nothing.
If an 'ant' like me beats you, you'll be too ashamed to show your face in the God Realm for the rest of your life. That hurts more than death. I bet you'll go crazy, shut yourself away, and waste your own future. Maybe you should think about that outcome." Evan Chu replied, utterly unfazed.
Gavin Cloud's face twisted. "Kid, you talk too much. If the others couldn't kill you, that's their incompetence. I won't give you any chances—today, you die!" Killing intent surged around him as he glared at Evan Chu.
"If you want me dead, come and get me! Show me how strong a mid-stage God-Emperor really is!" Evan Chu said coolly, but his spiritual sense locked onto Gavin Cloud's every move.
In a flash, Gavin Cloud attacked—his sword-qi was leagues stronger than before, shaking the arena space so violently it seemed ready to tear apart.
Evan Chu wasn't stupid; he wouldn't go head-to-head. The fourth form of the Wind-God Sword Art could block this strike, but he refused to use it. If he tried to clash directly, Gavin's rebound force might injure him—if he coughed up blood in front of everyone, that'd be a disaster.
So he chose to dodge, moving at top speed and searching for an opening to strike back...