Chapter 30: Fire Python Tiger, Ironwood Manor, and a High-Stakes Gamble

Having made his decision, Lin Yan quickly left the area.

He rushed toward the finish line of the hunting grounds, his speed incredibly fast.

However, perhaps because the competition was nearing its end,

the number of participants and Demonic Beasts he encountered along the way was noticeably lower compared to when the event first started.

This only allowed him to move even faster toward his destination.

"Pa!"

With a single punch, Lin Yan took down another Demonic Beast that had lunged at him.

With a flick of his finger, a burst of Purple Flame shot out, instantly incinerating the beast's corpse, leaving only its valuable beast core behind.

Retrieving the core, Lin Yan muttered to himself,

"I should be close now..."

He continued forward.

After just a few steps, he spotted the corpse of a Fire Python Tiger lying by the roadside.

This confirmed his suspicions—

The Hunting Competition was nearing its conclusion.

Judging from the scene, Lin Dong and the others had likely already secured the Fire Python Tiger.

That meant the real conflict was about to begin.

With that thought, Lin Yan increased his speed toward the finish line.

Meanwhile, at the Competition's End Point

Just as Lin Yan had predicted,

Lin Dong, Wu Yun, and Lei Li had all arrived at the finish line.

As Lin Dong and Wu Yun stepped onto the stone platform, the judges quickly approached, counting the number of identification tokens in their possession before nodding and stepping away.

Lei Li, Xie Yingying, and the others in the audience grew cold-eyed at the sight.

Before Lin Dong and Wu Yun could even step down from the platform, Lei Li suddenly turned around and faced the spectator stands where the Lei and Xie Clans were seated.

With a loud voice, he called out:

"Grandfather, Uncle Xie! Yingying and I encountered a severely wounded Fire Python Tiger in the forest along with three newborn cubs!"

"The two of us fought with our lives on the line to bring it down, but just as we were about to secure the cubs, Lin Dong and Wu Yun ambushed us and stole them!"

"Please, seek justice for us!"

The moment his words fell, the entire arena was in an uproar.

Especially upon hearing the mention of three Fire Python Tiger cubs,

a wave of greed flickered in the eyes of nearly everyone present!

These were Fire Python Tiger cubs!

If raised properly, they could eventually grow strong enough to rival a Heavenly Yuan Stage expert!

In an instant, the expressions of Lei Bao and Xie Qian darkened.

They didn't care whether Lei Li's accusations against Lin Dong were true or false.

For them, there was only one thought—

They had to wrest those Fire Python Tiger cubs from the Lin Clan's grasp!

"Lin Zhentian, Luo Cheng, you both heard that, didn't you?"

"Lin Dong and Wu Yun stole our Fire Python Tiger. Now, return them at once!"

Lei Bao swiftly demanded, his voice firm as he addressed Lin Zhentian and Luo Cheng.

Before they could respond, Wu Yun directly retorted:

"The Fire Python Tiger was already heavily injured. Just because you saw it first, does that mean it automatically belongs to you?"

"Heavenly treasures belong to those capable of seizing them! The same applies to this Fire Python Tiger—whoever has the ability to claim it, takes it!"

"Now that we've won it, why should we hand it over to you?"

Lei Bao's face darkened as he barked,

"Enough with your nonsense!"

However, before he could press further, Luo Cheng's voice boomed over his,

"Clan Leader Lei, so what your people say is the truth, but what my people say is just nonsense?"

"Are you treating Raging Blade Dojo like fools?"

Lin Zhentian finally spoke up.

The reason he had remained silent earlier was simply because he didn't know the full situation.

Now that he did, his stance was clear—

Regardless of the truth, they would not surrender the Fire Python Tiger to the Lei and Xie Clans.

He made his stance known with a cold chuckle:

"I completely agree with Wu Yun's words just now—"

"Heavenly treasures belong to those who can take them!"

"This isn't some kind of theft. It just so happens that fate led us to claim those cubs instead."

"So, Clan Leader Lei, your claims are meaningless."

Lei Bao and Xie Qian exchanged glances.

They had realized that forcibly seizing the Fire Python Tiger from the Lin Clan and Raging Blade Dojo wouldn't be easy.

However, they weren't willing to give up just yet.

After all, these cubs were too valuable.

If they could acquire them, the power of their families would soar significantly.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Lei Bao made a decision.

His gaze swept over Xie Qian, Luo Cheng, and Lin Zhentian before he spoke:

"In that case, why don't we make a wager?"

"Just now, everyone agreed that heavenly treasures belong to those with the strength to claim them."

"So now, let's determine who the true rightful owner is!"

Lin Zhentian immediately scoffed,

"Clan Leader Lei, what a scheme—trying to take everything without risking anything?"

Lei Bao coldly snorted,

"I'm not that shameless!"

"Here's the deal—each of our four factions will put up something as a wager."

"You and Raging Blade Dojo will bet the Fire Python Tiger cubs."

"My Lei Clan will wager Ironwood Manor, and Clan Leader Xie will provide something of equal value."

The audience exchanged glances, processing the sudden turn of events.

Luo Cheng narrowed his eyes and asked Lei Bao,

"And how exactly do you intend for us to gamble?"

"Are you suggesting a duel between the clan leaders?"

As he spoke, Luo Cheng cast a cold glance at Lei Bao, the scar on his face shifting like a wriggling centipede.

Lei Bao snorted and shook his head.

"Of course not!"

"I believe that matters concerning the younger generation should be resolved by the younger generation themselves!"

"Therefore, I propose that we settle this gamble through a duel between the juniors!"

"I wouldn't bully you—my Lei Clan and Xie Clan will send Lei Li, while your Lin Clan and Raging Blade Dojo can send Lin Yan!"

"If your side wins, we will hand over our stakes and let the matter rest. But if we win, you will do the same. How about it?"

Luo Cheng and Lin Zhentian fell silent for a moment.

Meanwhile, Xie Qian leaned in toward Lei Bao and whispered,

"Brother Lei, are you certain about this? If I recall correctly, a few months ago, Lei Li was defeated by Lin Yan."

Lei Bao replied in a low voice,

"That time, Lei Li didn't go all out. And now, he has reached the Earthly Yuan Stage."

"I have also passed down a Fourth-Tier Martial Art from my Lei Clan to him. Lin Yan absolutely won't be his match."

Hearing this, Xie Qian finally felt at ease.

If what Lei Bao said was true, their victory was nearly guaranteed.

After all, there was no way Lin Yan could have broken through to the Earthly Yuan Stage already!

"Alright, we'll go with your plan."

Lei Bao then turned his gaze toward Lin Zhentian and Luo Cheng.

Both of them knew that today's matter wouldn't be settled so easily.

And given the current situation, this was likely the best possible resolution.

"What do you think, Master Luo?"

Lin Zhentian asked for Luo Cheng's opinion.

"I choose to trust Lin Yan."

"I've heard about his feats from Wu Yun."

Luo Cheng responded without hesitation.

Hearing this, Lin Zhentian nodded silently.

Then, he turned his gaze toward Lei Bao and Xie Qian, speaking in an indifferent tone.

"In that case, it's decided!"

"We will begin as soon as Lin Yan arrives!"

Hearing this, Lei Bao laughed.

Xie Qian also revealed a confident smile.

They made no further remarks and simply waited in anticipation.

And under the watchful eyes of all—

Lin Yan finally arrived!