A Five-Star God-Demon challenging a Seven-Star God-Demon who also serves as a Corps elder was explosive news on its own. Thanks to Ian Song's deliberate publicity, not only did the entire God-Demon Corps hear about it—even many residents of Brighthelm Holy City got wind of the duel.
Brennan Cliff agreed to Ian’s challenge, but set the duel for three days later.
Ian knew Brennan was likely stalling to prepare, but he wasn’t worried. As long as no God-King intervened, his strength was unbeatable below God-King level—Brennan absolutely wasn’t his match.
This time, Ian wasn’t just going to defeat Brennan—he planned to humiliate him so badly that Brennan would lose all reputation and be unable to keep his elder seat.
If not for the requirement to advance to Seven-Star God-Demon, Ian would just kill Brennan outright on the arena.
Meanwhile.
A Seven-Star God-Demon also opened a betting pool for the duel three days later.
The odds for Ian Song were three-to-one.
Brennan Cliff’s odds were only 1.5-to-1.
This showed that the bookie Seven-Star God-Demon clearly favored Brennan Cliff.
This Seven-Star God-Demon was named Gavin Gu, and among Seven-Stars he was top-tier—extremely wealthy and influential.
Once Ian learned about the betting pool—
He went straight to Gavin Gu’s residence.
“Can I place a bet too?” Ian asked.
The one running the bets was Gavin Gu’s subordinate, a Mid Heavenly God.
“Of course!”
The subordinate nodded.
“Can I bet using God-Demon Merits?” Ian asked again.
Ian pressed the question.
Promotion to Six-Star God-Demon required five thousand God-Demon Merits. He’d earned two thousand for capturing Mira Skylar, spent two hundred on intel, and now had three-to-one odds. If he bet all his remaining merits and won, he’d get fifty-four hundred—enough to upgrade.
"Of course you can!"
The subordinate nodded without hesitation—God-Demon Merits were hard to earn, and even god-crystals couldn't buy them.
"What's the maximum I can bet?"
Ian pressed further.
"How much do you want to bet?" the subordinate countered.
"Eighteen hundred!"
"No problem!"
After placing his bet, Ian added, "I want to keep betting with god-crystals. How about one hundred God-Demon Merits for every hundred million god-crystals?"
Ian had already checked.
There were private trades for God-Demon Merits, usually at a price of five hundred thousand god-crystals per Merit.
He was offering one million per Merit—double the usual price.
"How much do you want to bet this time?"
The subordinate asked again.
"Will you take ten billion?"
Ian asked with a smile.
Ten billion god-crystals was ten thousand God-Demon Merits. If he won, he'd get thirty thousand Merits.
"I'll need to report this to the boss!" The subordinate was startled by Ian's wager; the amount was simply too large for him to approve.
"Alright, I'll wait," Ian replied, lifting his gaze.
The subordinate turned and went inside to report to Gavin Gu.
Upon hearing the report, Gavin Gu couldn't help but sneer. "Interesting. I never expected a Mid Heavenly God to come up with ten billion god-crystals. Tell him we'll take his bet—and if he wants to keep betting, accept it all!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Mid Heavenly God subordinate withdrew, while Gavin Gu's lips curled in disdain.
He had deep ties with Brennan Cliff. The reason Brennan scheduled the duel three days later was to borrow a God-King artifact from his patron.
Brennan was that big shot's attack dog, and his elder position was entirely thanks to that figure's maneuvering. If Brennan lost, Gavin's reputation would suffer too.
So, Brennan had a high chance of securing the God-King artifact.
With the artifact in hand, and a full major realm advantage, how could Brennan possibly lose?
To Gavin, this challenge was just Ian asking to be humiliated—or maybe even killed. So no matter how much Ian wagered, Gavin dared to accept it all.
After a short wait, the Mid Heavenly God returned and smiled, "Ian, my lord says your bet is accepted. He also says if you want to wager more, he'll take it all!"
Hearing this, Ian sneered inwardly. Gavin clearly saw him as a fat sheep. "Fine, then I'll bet one hundred billion!"
A hundred billion god-crystals equaled ten thousand God-Demon Merits. If Ian won, he'd take home thirty thousand Merits.
The subordinate's eyes flashed with excitement at Ian's wager—this was basically a windfall from the boss. If he could land this deal, he was sure to be rewarded.
After finalizing the betting contract, Ian left Gavin Gu's courtyard.
Promotion to Six-Star God-Demon required five thousand merits.
Advancing to Seven-Star God-Demon would require fifty thousand merits and completing three assessment missions assigned by the Corps.
Once he defeated Brennan Cliff and finished the remaining tasks, he could advance to Six-Star God-Demon.
Three days flew by in a flash.
God-Demon Corps, God-Demon Arena.
A huge crowd had already gathered to watch—at least ten thousand gods.
Fifteen minutes remained until the challenge.
Ian arrived.
Brennan Cliff had already shown up early. As soon as he saw Ian, a sinister smile appeared on his lips. He sent a voice transmission: "Ian, you're dead this time!"
He'd successfully gotten a God-King artifact from his backer; combined with his Upper Heavenly God cultivation, Ian was doomed.
Ian just smiled at him and didn't reply.
At this point, there was no need for trash talk. All that mattered was crushing Brennan Cliff on the arena floor.
"Time's up! Ian Song and Brennan Cliff, to the stage!"
The presiding elder called out in a clear voice.
Swish! Swish!
Both men leaped onto the stage. The elder formed a series of seals, and a glowing barrier rose up, enclosing the entire arena.
"You little thief, you insist on courting death! Today is your last day!"
Brennan Cliff's face twisted with malice as he sent another voice transmission.
Ian shot back, "Old dog, you're the one who's going to die!"
"Courting death!"
Brennan Cliff narrowed his eyes, stepped forward, and swung a heavy punch.
His power was like a mountain, thick and overwhelming.
Brennan Cliff cultivated earth-attribute laws, excelling in strength and defense.
"Heh!"
Ian chuckled lightly and threw a punch of his own.
Boom!
Energy exploded outward; Brennan Cliff's body shuddered, and he staggered back several steps before steadying himself. Ian, by contrast, stood unmoving in his original spot.
"Impossible!"
Brennan Cliff cried out in disbelief. He was a veteran Seven-Star God-Demon, not the absolute peak but still top-tier among Upper Heavenly Gods.
"Again!"
With a furious shout, Brennan Cliff attacked again, this time his fists and body shrouded in a thick, earthy yellow glow.
"Scram!"
Ian raised his hand and struck back.
Bang!
Brennan Cliff was sent flying, crashing hard onto the arena stage. The spectators looked on in shock and disbelief.