Hearing Ian Song agree to bet on No. 6, Shawn Shen was overjoyed and pressed, "How much are you putting down?"
"Since I won a million credits earlier, I'll just bet a million this time," Ian said with a smile.
Hearing Ian put it that way, Shawn couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable. He kept a straight face and said, "Same rules as before. This time, I'm still betting two million."
No. 6's odds were 1 to 2.4.
No. 11's odds were 1 to 1.6.
In other words, if Ian won this round, he'd get 2.4 million including his principal, and Shawn would owe him another 2.4 million.
Twenty minutes later, the No. 6 and No. 11 leopard-lions were released one after the other.
No. 6 looked lazy and sluggish, like it didn't have much energy, while No. 11 was fierce, constantly roaring provocatively at No. 6.
"Landon, that No. 6 you picked doesn't look so great," Shawn couldn't help but jab when he saw this.
"Ever heard the saying?" Ian looked at Shawn.
"What saying?"
"Laughing too early is bad for your back," Ian said coolly.
"You...!" Shawn glared angrily at Ian.
Down in the pit, the fight had already started. No. 11 was aggressive, showing off all its beastly ferocity.
In contrast, No. 6 barely fought back, just dodging around, looking lazy as ever. But Ian could tell No. 6 was actually strong—and cunning, deliberately hiding its real power.
The fight dragged on for quite a while. No. 11 got exhausted from its nonstop attacks, but No. 6 still didn't counterattack.
"Hahaha, Landon, that leopard-lion you picked really sucks!" Shawn, who'd just been shut down by Ian, couldn't help but pipe up again.
"Is that so?"
Ian smirked and sent a wisp of mental power into No. 6 leopard-lion's mind.
Suddenly, No. 6 leopard-lion sprang into action, landing a huge paw right on No. 11.
The move was so fast and unexpected that No. 11 was sent flying, totally stunned.
No. 6 kept up its assault, leaping forward, pinning No. 11's head with both paws so it couldn't move, then clamping its jaws around No. 11's neck. One bite and No. 11 would be done for.
Shawn was dumbfounded. This was way too dramatic—No. 11 had been dominating, and suddenly it lost just like that.
Ian's funds quickly shot up to 2.4 million. He glanced over at Shawn.
Shawn coldly snorted as he transferred 2.4 million to Ian's account, his face looking especially dark and sour.
Ian grinned, "Young Master Shen, want to bet again? If not, I'll treat you to dinner—I mean, I just won three million off you, I'd feel guilty if I didn't at least buy you a meal."
Shawn had zero appetite for dinner. He just snorted and stormed off.
Ian didn't mind at all. Instead, he decided to pay a visit to the arena's steward.
The person who received Ian was a young steward named Weilon Wei, his face fixed in a professional, stiff smile. "What can I do for you, Mr. Lu?"
The arena had powerful backing, which gave its staff plenty of confidence.
"I'd like to buy No. 6 leopard-lion," Ian said.
Hearing Ian's request, Weilon Wei couldn't help but sneer. "Sorry, Mr. Lu, our arena doesn't sell its fighting beasts to outsiders."
Ian's expression didn't change. "Name your price."
"Please leave, Mr. Lu," Weilon Wei said impatiently.
"I'd like to meet your manager or boss," Ian pressed.
Weilon Wei grew even more impatient. "Mr. Lu, I've made myself very clear. Our arena has never sold fighting beasts, and even if you met the manager or boss, the answer would be the same!"
"You're not them. How do you know they wouldn't agree?" Ian replied coolly.
A cold glint flashed in Weilon Wei's eyes. "Someone, escort Mr. Lu out of the arena."
Immediately, two burly, intimidating bouncers strode in, heading straight for Ian.
Ian showed no fear at all. He just smiled and said, "You two, stand right there and don't move."
Under Weilon Wei's astonished gaze, the two bouncers just stood there, completely motionless.
"Did you hypnotize them?"
Weilon Wei instantly realized what had happened, staring at Ian in horror.
"That's right. Now, can you go get your manager or boss?" Ian asked.
"Y-yes, of course!"
Weilon Wei nodded repeatedly. Psychic Adepts were a cut above the rest, and these two bouncers were eighth-level Warriors—yet Landon Lu had hypnotized them in an instant. Clearly, Landon's psychic power was no joke.
Soon, Weilon Wei returned, flanked by a silver-haired elder.
Though old, the elder radiated a powerful presence—his cultivation was likely at War-General level.
"Good day, Officer Lu," the elder greeted Ian with a polite smile.
"You're too kind, sir," Ian replied evenly. The elder had called him Officer Lu instead of Mr. Lu, clearly having investigated his background during that short time.
"I hear you want to buy No. 6 leopard-lion?" The elder's eyes flashed sharply.
"That's right," Ian nodded.
"But our arena has never sold fighting beasts to outsiders, so I hope you understand." The elder smiled, though a hint of disdain crept into his expression.
"Just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean it can't happen now!" Ian looked up at the elder, his words full of meaning.
"Hahaha!" The elder suddenly burst out laughing. "Well said! Rules are dead, people are alive. But then again, whether the rules change depends on whether the challenger has the skill to back it up."
"Couldn't agree more!" Ian nodded seriously.
The elder narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing. "How about this: if you can take three punches from me without falling, I'll let you take No. 6 leopard-lion home."
"Haha, that's a bit much," Ian said cheerfully.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Officer Lu. You only get the leopard-lion if you withstand my three punches," the elder warned coldly.
"Alright, go ahead!" Ian said with a smile.
"Brace yourself, Officer Lu!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the elder shot forward like a leopard, closing the distance to Ian in a flash and throwing a punch at his chest.
"I think your fist should be hitting the wall!" Ian's voice rang out.
The elder twisted his body and shifted sideways.
Boom!
His fist slammed into the wall with a heavy thud.
The moment his fist hit the wall, the elder snapped out of it. He turned to Ian in shock. "You hypnotized me?"
He was a third-level War-General, his willpower was supposed to be unshakable—how could he be hypnotized so easily?
Ian nodded. "It wasn't easy hypnotizing you. Want to try again? Maybe this time I won't be able to do it."
The elder nodded, then quickly realized Ian was baiting him to embarrass himself again. He hesitated, unsure whether to continue.