Chapter 4: Battle of Wagers (Part 1)

Eagle Demon said, “He’s come to fight every day these past few months. I don’t know why he loves such battles so much. He’s a high-level Berserker and hasn’t lost a single fight yet. Maybe he’s addicted to winning.”
Guo Shier said, “Uncle Luo doesn’t have your experience after all. He was always a guard for his master’s family and only joined me later. Although he has some combat experience, it’s far less than yours. Of course, he wouldn’t miss this opportunity.”
Eagle Demon nodded. “Mm, his combat experience is indeed lacking. If he frequents the secret realms, he can improve quickly.”
Guo Shier smiled. “If he reaches the level of Sage and gets his own soul blade, battles like these would be a joke—completely not on the same level. If he reaches the level of Great Sage, hehe…” He didn’t finish. Eagle Demon understood what he meant. He had inherited the legacy of the Gu Mi Luo family and had learned a lot during this time, including skills required to become a Great Sage. This was very different from the legacy he had received before. A Great Sage was extremely powerful.
Since Luo Zhan had been fighting here for a long time, many people already knew him and recognized his strength. So even though he shouted loudly, no one challenged him to fight.
A professional asked, “Who is he? He’s so arrogant. Why isn’t anyone fighting him?”
Guo Shier turned to look. It was a low-level Berserker. Someone beside him said, “Why isn’t anyone fighting him? He’s been coming here for months and has defeated at least a hundred people… No one has dared to challenge him in days. A Berserker without special skills really doesn’t need to try.”
The low-level Berserker asked, “Is he a high-level Berserker? It’s a shame I’m only low-level. If I reached intermediate level, I’d fight him!”
The person beside him laughed. “Forget it. With your strength, even if you reached high-level, you still wouldn’t be able to. Do you have any particularly powerful skills? That guy has amazing skills. I think he can even challenge those above him in rank.”
Guo Shier smiled slightly. He knew Luo Zhan had inherited the legacy of the Gu Mi Luo family and must have discovered combat skills suited to him. He was just getting familiar with the skills he had learned. Just like how Guo Shier needed to get used to using his Moon Blade, at the North Talisman Gate, he had only tried it briefly and didn’t dare delve deeper—the surrounding environment didn’t allow him to use the Moon Blade recklessly.
Suddenly, the crowd became restless as a group of people rushed in. Guo Shier narrowed his eyes and said, “Uncle Eagle Demon, look at those people… Don’t they look familiar?”

To be precise, it was the clothing worn by those people that seemed familiar. When Guo Shier and the others came out of Yumozhe, they were followed by a thick fog of insects. Later, they encountered a large group of professionals wearing such clothing, which forced them to leave the Earth Fire Continent. Unexpectedly, they saw this same group again in the combat arena of the Fire Sect’s inner circle.

There were about dozens of people in this group, most of them being Saint Masters, a few being Advanced Fury Masters, and five or six being Great Saint Masters.

Guo Shier asked one of the professionals beside him, “Who are they?”

The man replied casually, “They’re professionals from the Nest Sect, a minor sect specializing in pest control—nothing worth mentioning!” Guo Shier glanced downward and saw the identity badge on the man’s belt. It turned out he was an inner disciple of the Fire Sect; no wonder he spoke so arrogantly.

Eagle Demon asked, “Is that person standing behind them… the Great Saint Master who chased us last time?”

After observing for a while, Guo Shier nodded and said, “He looks somewhat similar.”

Eagle Demon asked, “Could he recognize us?”

After thinking for a moment, Guo Shier said, “It’s very likely! If we were face to face… since we’re hidden among the crowd now, he might not be able to see us, but… Lao Luo is up there!”

Luo Zhan was also present back then, so it wouldn’t be strange if he were recognized. Eagle Demon sighed and said, “I hope no conflicts arise.”

Guo Shier shook his head and said, “It’s probably unavoidable. It doesn’t matter… they wouldn’t dare be too bold inside the Fire Sect’s inner circle.”

Sure enough, that Great Saint Master stared intently at Luo Zhan, spoke a few words to someone beside him, and then a Saint Master flew into the combat arena. Luo Zhan was taken aback. He hadn’t realized these people were the professionals he encountered outside Yumozhe, but he sensed they were Saint Masters. He said, “Saint Masters have their own places to fight. You’ve come to the wrong place!”

It was a junior Symbol-Warrior Saint Master. He said, “There’s not much difference between an Advanced Fury Master and a junior Symbol-Warrior Saint Master. Don’t you dare to fight?”

Luo Zhan was eager but said, “Oh, you want me to challenge someone above my level?”

The man formally bowed and said, “I’m Xie Rongcheng, an inner disciple of the Nest Sect and a junior Symbol-Warrior Saint Master. My life talisman is an ancient scorpion. Please teach me!”

There was an uproar outside the arena. The actions of the Nest Sect’s professionals seemed somewhat bullying. Unless Luo Zhan voluntarily challenged a Saint Master, the Saint Master couldn’t enter the arena. Not only did they enter, but they also deliberately provoked Luo Zhan, forcing him into a fight.

A Great Saint Master from the Fire Sect’s inner circle stepped into the arena and said to Luo Zhan, “You can refuse to fight. It’s your right, and no one can force you.”

Luo Zhan had long wanted to test his skills against a Saint Master but never had the chance. He said, “Thank you, Elder. I accept the challenge!” Then, with great confidence, he declared to Xie Rongcheng, “Wandering professional, Advanced Talisman-MartialAdvanced Talisman-MartialKuang Master—Luo Zhan! Master—Luo Zhan! Master—Luo Zhan! Master—Luo Zhan!”

Xie Rongcheng was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Luo Zhan to be a wandering professional. He replied coldly, “Let’s make it clear first—if I win, you must answer one of my questions.” That was his real goal.

Luo Zhan wasn’t stupid either. He asked, “What if you lose…?”

Xie Rongcheng hadn’t even considered losing and was at a loss for words. Luo Zhan sneered, “It seems you’re convinced I can’t win, right?”

Fury surged in Xie Rongcheng’s veins as he said, “If I lose… do with me as you will!”

Another wave of uproar arose outside the circle. Those words were too harsh; it was obvious he was looking down on Luo Zhan. After all, Luo Zhan had been fighting here for months and had gained quite a reputation. He was fierce in battle but kind in dealing with people, having made many friends here.

Some people shouted, “Beat that bastard! Make him eat shit!”

“The Chao Sect dares to show off here in the Fire Sect—have they gone blind?”

“Kill him!”

“…”

The series of shouts and curses turned the Chao Sect members pale. Xie Rongcheng found himself in a difficult position, facing widespread anger. He couldn’t help but look toward the leading Saint Master.

That Saint Master gave no hints or orders, standing there expressionlessly as usual.

Xie Rongcheng gritted his teeth inwardly and said, “If we’re going to fight, let’s do it! No more hesitation!”

Luo Zhan laughed loudly. “As you wish!” He tapped lightly on the talisman pouch at his waist, and a talisman weapon appeared in his hand. It was a two-meter-long great sword with a strange shape—a inverted triangle with two tips, resembling a shovel at the front. It had been forged by Kuumu using a tooth from an aberrant talisman beast obtained in the Tan Ya Secret Realm.

Due to its excellent quality and being crafted by Saint Master Kuumu using the ancient Mi Luo family’s secret techniques, this sword’s power was no less than that of his life talisman blade, with some additional special features. Luo Zhan bent slightly, gripping the long hilt tightly, and a fierce aura immediately spread out.

Suddenly, four symbol shields the size of basins appeared in front of Xie Rongcheng, spinning around him. Immediately afterward, a layer of dark runes rose from his body, quickly forming a phantom scorpion before merging back into his body. His arms turned into two scorpion claws, and his lower body transformed into a scorpion shape, with a scorpion tail standing tall.

Guo Shier was shocked and said, “What the hell is this… Oh… I get it.” He immediately recalled a passage from the teachings. It was an ancient method of integrating the essence of mutated symbol insects into one’s own soul to create a personal symbol insect. It was a symbol-wielding skill that allowed one to become a half-human, half-insect being, enabling professionals to utilize some of the abilities of mutated symbol insects. It was a minor profession that was powerful at first but became difficult to sustain at the level of Grand Sage. He never expected to see such a professional here.

Luo Zhan was also startled. The half-human, half-scorpion appearance was extremely ugly, with four rotating symbol shields floating around it. Frowning, he said, “What nonsense! Take this!” He rushed forward and swung his sword.

Xie Rongcheng didn’t have any weapons—his weapons were the two scorpion claws and the scorpion tail, with his defense relying entirely on the four symbol shields. Those shields were made from scorpion shells, and when he activated his defense, they transformed into four scorpions circling around him.

Squeak!

One of the shield symbols suddenly turned into a scorpion and blocked in front of Xie Rongcheng, letting out a shriek. Luo Zhan swung his sword, and with a crack, the shield shattered. The sword was extremely powerful—its material was special, with countless virtual symbols added to the withered wood, making it unbelievably sharp. Under normal circumstances, Luo Zhan wouldn’t have used it.

With just one swing, a shield was shattered, and Xie Rongcheng became furious. He moved at incredible speed, as scorpions moved on six legs rather than two. He darted around, searching for weaknesses in Luo Zhan’s defense.

Luo Zhan calmly rotated his body slowly, maintaining a direct confrontation stance.

The professionals outside cheered when Luo Zhan shattered the shield with one swing, while the members of the Nest Faction looked even more displeased.

Guo Shier said, “This Xie Rongcheng isn’t strong enough!” He could also control insect symbols and knew some of their characteristics. Though not very familiar with this skill, he could still discern certain things.

Eagle Demon said, “He’s not weak either, but Old Luo has a great symbol weapon. Hehe.”

Xie Rongcheng couldn’t find any weakness in Luo Zhan, so he grew anxious and started to fight bravely, suddenly rushing at Luo Zhan with his two scorpion claws separated to the left and right, slashing viciously.