"To be honest, I didn’t want to come. After all, you’re not that interesting to me. But I didn’t want people saying I don’t keep my word, so here I am," Tang Yi replied coolly, his eyes filled with confidence. He clearly wasn’t taking Tang Mingtian seriously in the slightest.
"How arrogant!" Tang Fanghua scoffed from the sidelines.
"Heh, you certainly are confident." Tang Mingtian chuckled, unconcerned by Tang Yi’s attitude. "Since you’re here, there’s no need for small talk. Let’s begin!"
"As you wish," Tang Yi said with a smile.
"It’s starting! It’s starting!"
"Even though Tang Yi is only a Battle Master, I’m still really looking forward to this fight. After all, I want to see for myself just how incredible the Tang Family’s top genius, Tang Mingtian, really is."
"Me too! Tang Mingtian is our Tang Family’s youngest Battle Grandmaster! If I had his talent, I’d be walking on air by now. Who does Tang Yi think he is, acting so high and mighty?"
"You? Have Tang Mingtian’s talent? Give me a break. You could be reincarnated ten times over and you still wouldn’t come close!"
"That Tang Yi is certainly arrogant. He doesn’t look afraid of Tang Mingtian at all. Does he actually think he has a chance of winning?"
"No way. You’re thinking too much. If Tang Yi wins, I’ll eat the Mourning Stone from the back mountain!"
"The Mourning Stone is harder than a Diamond! You think you could eat that? But then again, it’s a safe bet. There’s no way you’ll lose. That Tang Yi is definitely going to die in the Martial Arts Arena."
"Tang Yi is a dead man. Look at how much Tang Fanghua hates him. Given Tang Mingtian’s character, he’d do anything to defend his love. He’ll definitely avenge her!"
"It’s a shame. That piece of trash Tang Yi barely had any time to act all high and mighty after becoming a Battle Master, and now he’s about to be put in his place..."
As the match was about to begin, the crowd below the Martial Arts Arena was abuzz with discussion. Most of them were here to support and watch Tang Mingtian. After all, he was the Tang Family’s top genius. His power was beyond question, so how could Tang Yi possibly be his opponent?
Even though Tang Yi had defeated Tang Fangzhou, was quite strong, and even possessed a High-level Martial Technique, he was still just a slightly stronger-than-average Battle Master. The gap between a Battle Master and a Battle Grandmaster was a vast chasm. The difference in their power was heaven and earth—not something that one or two High-level Martial Techniques could overcome.
"So Tang Yi really came back! Fellow Elders, Tang Yi and Tang Mingtian are both outstanding disciples of our Tang Family’s younger generation. What are your thoughts on their match?" an Elder on the high platform asked with a broad smile.
"What’s there to think about? Tang Mingtian will obviously win," another Elder immediately answered, his tone dripping with disdain for Tang Yi.
"This is an unfair fight," yet another Elder chimed in.
"Mingtian’s talent is extraordinary. He will certainly slay Tang Yi on that stage," the Seventh Elder added.
They spoke so freely of Tang Yi’s death, showing no consideration for Clan Leader Tang Haotian, who was right there with them.
"Actually, I believe my Yi’Er will win," Tang Haotian stated confidently.
"Why don’t we make a wager on it?" the Elder who had first asked for everyone’s opinion on the match suddenly suggested.
This Elder’s name was Tang Shuren. He was quick-witted and had a particular fondness for schemes and plots.
"Excellent!"
"I was just thinking the same thing!"
"But, Elder Tree Man, are you planning to be the house? I’m afraid you’re going to lose a lot of money on this one."
"Everyone’s going to bet on Mingtian, and he’s sure to win. If Elder Tree Man runs the book, it’ll be a miracle if he doesn’t lose his shirt."
Hearing the other Elders’ comments, Elder Tang Shuren just smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "It’s just for fun. Since it’s a wager, there are bound to be wins and losses. Why get so hung up on it? I’ll be the gentleman who takes the risk and runs the book this time. But the payout can’t be one-to-one!"
Elder Tang Shuren held up two hands. On one, he extended three fingers, and on the other, just one. He said, "If Tang Mingtian wins, I’ll pay out 1 for every 30 bet. But if Tang Yi wins, I’ll pay out 30 for every 1."
"Oh?"
The crowd was surprised, but they still laughed and agreed. Even though the payout for a Tang Mingtian win was only 1 for every 30 bet, everyone still rushed to place their money on him. It was a guaranteed profit.
So what if the payout for Tang Yi was 30-to-1? He couldn’t possibly win, so even 100-to-1 odds would be meaningless!
Seeing everyone placing their bets while only the Seventh Elder and Tang Haotian remained still, Tang Shuren smiled. "Clan Leader, Seventh Elder, aren’t you two going to join the fun?"
At his words, the Seventh Elder said nothing, simply pulling a handful of valuables from within his robes and placing his bet on Tang Mingtian.
Clan Leader Tang Haotian, however, just shot Tang Shuren a glare, his expression displeased.
What father would be happy seeing others betting on his son’s life? Tang Haotian was no exception.
However, he didn’t put a stop to it. This was, after all, a wager that all the Elders had approved. If he objected, he would be setting himself against all of them, which would negatively affect his Position.
Seeing that he wasn’t getting anywhere, Tang Shuren didn’t press the matter and simply continued collecting bets from the other Elders with a grin.
Meanwhile, Tang Yi and Tang Mingtian had signed the life-and-death contract, formalizing their duel. Both now stood upon the arena stage, and the great battle was about to erupt at any moment.
At this point, Tang Mingtian stared intently at Tang Yi and said in a serious tone, "Tang Yi, I truly admire you. If you hadn’t killed Tang Fangzhou, we might have even become friends."
"If you want to be my friend, you first need to be qualified. If you’re here to avenge Tang Fangzhou, then by all means, come at me," Tang Yi said coolly.
"Heh, still as arrogant as ever. But I truly am sorry. Now that you’ve stepped onto this stage, you have to die. This is the promise I made to Sister Hua. As long as I kill you, she will marry me. That has always been my greatest wish," Tang Mingtian said with a tone of resignation.
Hearing this, Tang Yi glanced down in Tang Fanghua’s direction and sneered. "Her? She’s nothing special. To think she’s the one who has our Tang Family’s top genius so infatuated. I see your Martial Arts Heart isn’t much to speak of. You won’t get far on your future path."
"You! Say what you will about me, but you will not insult Sister Hua! No matter what you think, in my heart, she is perfect!" Tang Mingtian roared.
Below the stage, Tang Fanghua’s heart swelled with emotion upon hearing his words. She gazed up at Tang Mingtian, her eyes full of deep affection.
Tang Yi couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on Tang Mingtian. "Enough with the nonsense," he said impatiently. "If you’re going to kill me, then let’s get on with it!"
Tang Yi had been leveling up for three days and nights without sleep and was now utterly exhausted. He needed to end this fight quickly so he could go back and get some proper rest. Otherwise, his body would give out sooner or later.
’And here was Tang Mingtian, siding with the wicked for some plain-faced girl, helping avenge a scumbag like Tang Fangzhou. Just as I said, his Martial Dao path won’t take him far.’
For that reason, Tang Yi had absolutely no interest in him.
"Fine! Here I come!"
A cold glint flashed in Tang Mingtian’s eyes. He clenched his fist, and without another word, threw a punch straight at Tang Yi!
This was just a probing strike. Tang Mingtian used fifty percent of his power, without employing any Martial Technique.
This punch marked the opening of the duel. Seeing Tang Mingtian make his move, the onlookers all held their breath and fell silent, their discussions ceasing as they began to watch the unfair match with rapt attention.

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