Chapter 134: The Betting Arena

Chapter 134: The Betting Arena

"Mu Feng, you're really lucky. I heard your Yuan meridians recovered, but I didn't expect you to make it to Tianyun Academy. How about that bet with Shangguan Qianzhi? Did you kneel and apologize to Elder Zhao Heng yet?"

Mu Qing's voice was filled with mockery the moment he approached.

"And who might you be, talking with such a foul mouth?" Bai Ziyue retorted coldly.

"He's Mu Qing, Brother Feng's old rival and former punching bag," Mu Kuang scoffed dismissively.

"Mu Kuang! You're asking for a beating!" Mu Qing snarled, his face darkening with anger.

"Mu Qing," Mu Feng interjected calmly, "Uncle asked me to look after you, so don't provoke me unnecessarily. Let's go."

He turned to leave, ignoring Mu Qing.

"Don't spout nonsense! My father would never let you 'look after' me. Since your Yuan meridians have recovered, let's see how strong you are now!"

With a sneer, Mu Qing's body surged with energy. Red Yuan energy swirled around his hand as he lunged at Mu Feng, aiming for his shoulder.

Mu Feng's eyes turned cold as he twisted his body and struck back with a punch.

Boom!

The clash of energy sent their hair flying. Mu Qing staggered backward several steps, stunned, while Mu Feng stood rooted in place, unaffected.

"Your Yuan meridians... really did recover," Mu Qing said, shock evident in his voice. The two Mu family disciples accompanying him were equally astonished.

"Is the once-renowned genius making a comeback?" one murmured.

Without giving them another glance, Mu Feng turned and walked away. Were it not for his uncle's recent kindness, he might have taught Mu Qing a harsher lesson.

Mu Qing glared at Mu Feng's retreating figure, his expression sour. After a moment, he left with his companions.

"Brother Feng, I really wanted to give that guy a good thrashing," Mu Kuang grumbled angrily. He'd been beaten by Mu Qing in the past and was eager for revenge.

"Forget it. In a place as chaotic as this, it's better for Mu family disciples to stick together. Besides, he's still my cousin," Mu Feng replied, shaking his head. As a former prodigy, he understood the jealousy he had sparked in Mu Qing from a young age.

"Let's not waste time thinking about him," Bai Ziyue chimed in. "Brother Feng, we found an interesting spot yesterday. Come, we'll show you!"

The two dragged Mu Feng to a large hall bustling with students. The atmosphere was lively, with shouts and cheers echoing throughout.

In the center were several combat stages where young men and women were engaged in heated battles, their Yuan energy clashing spectacularly.

"This is the Betting Arena," Bai Ziyue explained with a grin. "If you win on stage, you earn credits. See that over there? That's the betting station where people wager credits on the fights."

Mu Feng raised an eyebrow. "You brought me here to suggest I fight, didn't you?"

"Heh, you're sharp, Brother Feng!" Bai Ziyue chuckled. "Most people think new students are weak. If you challenge an older student and win, we can bet all our credits on you and make a fortune!"

Mu Feng's eyes lit up at the idea. It was indeed a clever way to earn credits.

Boom!

On one stage, a yellow-robed youth was sent flying off with a palm strike, landing heavily on the ground. The victor, a blue-robed youth, raised his fist triumphantly.

"Li Huan! Li Huan!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd as some celebrated their winning bets, while others cursed their losses.

"Li Huan's Crushing Gold Palm is incredible! He's perfected it to the highest level," someone commented.

"Yeah, at the sixth level of the Zifu Stage, there are few who can match him. He might even challenge seventh-level opponents," another added.

Li Huan, a two-year veteran of the academy, stood on stage, radiating confidence. "Who's next?" he called out, his voice filled with arrogance.

The crowd fell silent. With four consecutive wins, Li Huan had already established his dominance. The Betting Arena allowed students to decline challenges from those of higher cultivation levels, so there weren't many present who could face him.

After a long pause, another challenger stepped forward. As bets were placed and the match began, it ended quickly, with Li Huan emerging victorious after only a few dozen moves.

"Five wins in a row!" someone exclaimed. "I doubt anyone can beat him today."

"Nobody? Let's take him down," Mu Kuang said with a smirk.

The white-robed student beside them looked at Mu Kuang's freshman badge and scoffed. "You? A new student? You must be joking."

"Watch and learn, junior," Bai Ziyue shot back. "By the end of this, you'll be calling us grandpa."

The white-robed student's face turned red with anger, but he said nothing.

"Li Huan's won five matches. If he wins one more, he'll take home a third of today's betting pool. Any challengers?" the bookmaker shouted.

"Yes, we have one!" Bai Ziyue yelled, drawing everyone's attention.

"Brother Feng, it's your turn," Bai Ziyue said with a grin.

Mu Feng handed his blue crystal card to Bai Ziyue. "Bet it all."

"Got it!" Bai Ziyue replied, hurrying to the betting station with Mu Kuang.

With a single leap, Mu Feng landed gracefully on the combat stage, facing Li Huan.

Li Huan eyed Mu Feng's badge and burst out laughing. "A freshman? You dare challenge me?"

"What? A freshman? Challenging Li Huan?" the crowd murmured in disbelief.

"Mu Feng, a freshman, seeks guidance from Senior Li," Mu Feng said calmly, clasping his fists.

The bookmaker's eyes lit up. "A freshman is challenging Li Huan! Place your bets! Place your bets!"

"I'll bet on Li Huan—100 credits!"

"Me too, 80 credits. There's no way a freshman can beat him!"

The betting board quickly filled up, with nearly everyone wagering on Li Huan. Mu Feng's odds shot up to 5:23, with only a few gamblers risking small amounts on him.

"I'll bet 1,300 credits on Mu Feng," Bai Ziyue declared loudly.