Chapter Fifty-Two: The Wager

The Black Spirit Continent’s Black Forest: the most fearsome and dreaded wilderness among all the world’s jungles. This was the heartland of the dark elves and black fae, the primary stronghold for magical beasts, and a domain ruled by demons. Among its many horrors, none inspired greater terror than the Emerald-Patterned, Gold-Eyed Python, the most infamous predator of these shadowed wilds.

Though not the most powerful magical beast in the Black Forest, its reputation far surpassed that of many stronger creatures. Its immense size, menacing form, the instinctive dread humans felt toward cold-blooded reptiles, the python’s ruthless methods of hunting, and the gruesome spectacle of its feeding—all coalesced into a legend of terror that few dared challenge.

On the Odin Glacier, the Ice-Armored White Bear enjoyed a similarly fearsome renown. These hulking beasts, easily three to five times the size of an ordinary black bear, had once been favorite battle companions for orc warriors and berserkers across the Five Island Alliances during the century-long continental wars. A mature Ice-Armored White Bear possessed the strength of a knight at the pinnacle of his craft; should one go berserk and charge into an infantry line, it would be as if a living meat grinder had been unleashed, certain to cause a storm of blood and carnage.

What made them even harder to face, true to their name, was the bears’ innate ability to cast the secret art “Ice Armor,” summoning a thick frost that enveloped their bodies in a half-foot-deep shell of icy mail. The defensive power of this armor was astounding. Unless one wielded specially forged heavy weapons or enchanted arms, there was little hope of dealing with these monsters effectively.

The Golden Rose Lounge truly lived up to its reputation as the most extravagant den of indulgence in Dunork, managing to acquire two such magical beasts for a gambling match—what an impressive feat. The so-called minimum bet of five hundred gold coins was merely a baseline; a single wager could not be less, but none of the young gentlemen and ladies present would be satisfied with just a single bet. The most prodigal among them, eager to impress the lovely ladies with their bravado, would place dozens of wagers at a time.

Jin, delighted beyond measure, led Lin Qi and his entourage deep into the lounge, to the beast-fighting arena. This was a half-subterranean coliseum, ringed with tiered seating enough for three to five hundred spectators. In the center lay a deep, well-like circular pit nearly a hundred meters across—ample space for even the largest magical beasts to battle to the death. There was a thirty-meter drop from the seating to the pit floor—no ordinary beast could leap such a height.

Moreover, the arena’s walls, pillars, and even the ground shimmered with the glow of enchantments, inscribed by powerful magi using gem and crystal powders to craft intricate arcane arrays. Not even flying magical beasts could escape this place; it was entirely safe to watch the bloodsport from the stands.

The arena was currently split by a black curtain into two halves. On each side stood an enormous iron cage. One contained a python over thirty meters long, its body covered with emerald net-like markings; the other held a massive white bear, its height over ten meters when standing upright, its fur bristling like steel needles.

The python lay coiled in a serpentine formation, its pitiless golden eyes occasionally sweeping over the onlookers above. The white bear lounged lazily in its cage, idly licking its forepaw. From time to time, the bear would roll its eyes toward Lin Qi and company, but mostly it seemed more interested in licking its own foot than in the visitors, as if its paw held more allure than any of them.

Both beasts moved little, yet their vast forms, savage visages, and the unique, oppressive aura of magical beasts sent tremors through the legs of the pampered young ladies in attendance. Despite their terror, they still pressed lace handkerchiefs or folding fans to their faces, letting out affected, coquettish laughter to feign indifference toward the two monsters.

“Two fully grown magical beasts!” Jin exclaimed, rubbing his hands in excitement. “Each of them has the strength of a knight at the height of his power. It took immense effort to have them brought to Dunork, and I paid a hefty price to acquire them.”

With a smug chuckle, Jin continued, “Everyone knows that snakes fear the cold, so the Ice-Armored White Bear has a natural advantage. That’s why its odds are two to one, while the Emerald-Patterned, Gold-Eyed Python is three point five to one. Feel free to place your bets!”

He shot a quick glance at Lin Qi, his eyes narrowing with a sly smile. “If anyone wishes to wager directly against Lin Qi, the Golden Rose can serve as arbiter. According to the rules of the trade, however, I’ll take a ten percent commission from the total wager. But rest assured, we are scrupulously fair and impartial; we would never do anything to damage the Golden Rose’s reputation.”

Lin Qi, ever nonchalant, produced a gold note worth a hundred thousand coins and casually placed it on the railing before him, laughing boisterously. “A hundred thousand gold coins, all on the Emerald-Patterned, Gold-Eyed Python! I’ll let you have the advantage! If you can front a hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, you can bet against me—who among you... damn it!”

Though the note was worth a fortune, it was still just a slip of paper. As Lin Qi placed it on the rail, a careless exhalation sent it fluttering down, drifting gently to land in front of the python’s cage. With a startled cry and true to his reckless nature—where money was his lifeblood—Lin Qi vaulted the railing and leapt down after it.

A chorus of gasps filled the stands, Jin’s face paling to the color of chalk. The Golden Rose had never before suffered a guest’s injury or death, and with a thirty-meter drop to the arena floor, any ordinary man would surely be killed. The consequences, should Lin Qi die here, were unthinkable—who knew what his terrifying father might do?

Dozens of people leaned perilously over the rail, watching as Lin Qi clung to the tiny grooves of arcane patterns on the wall and slid down nimbly like a gecko. Panting, he dashed to the python’s cage and carefully retrieved the gold note.

“Damn it, Lin Qi, are you trying to get yourself killed?” Jin shouted in exasperation.

Standing before the cage, Lin Qi faced the enormous python, which trembled uneasily, its massive head fixed upon him. Jin shrieked in fear; even approaching such a beast within ten paces was perilous in the extreme.

Lin Qi quickly retreated a few steps, inhaled deeply, and shouted a few times. In the corner of the arena, a heavy metal door opened, and several Golden Rose guards hurried out, escorting Lin Qi through a side passage.

A short while later, Lin Qi emerged back in the stands, clutching the note tightly, breathless but triumphant. “Aha! A hundred thousand gold coins—see, I’ve truly put up a hundred thousand this time! Who’ll bet against me? Who?”

All eyes turned to the note in Lin Qi’s hand.

Once, Angel, who had been pushed into a gutter by Lin Qi and had remained in seclusion for half a year, suddenly snapped open her little fan. With a delicate smile, she called out, “Well then, Lin Qi, I’ll put up thirty thousand gold coins!”

Lin Qi was pleased to see the eyes of more than a dozen young lords light up at once.