The battle between Kai Deng and the Beastman Xingge has commenced.

"Hmm?"

The Shadow Messenger Ben bet all in on Kai Deng's win last time, but ended up losing everything because he remembered the wrong number, as proven by the ticket stub indicating he misspoke at the time.

But never mind!

Some believe that order is a ladder, others believe that chaos is a ladder. Ben, being of a shadowy nature, naturally falls into the latter category. That day he was feeling melancholic, so he decided to entertain everyone with a WINK!

Rein mentioned that it was someone resembling someone from Taicheng City, red high mane, and this WINK is even scarier than a billion murderers.

This is a deep running joke that Ben doesn't quite understand; anyway, a WINK is good enough.

Thief Guild, we like you!

The more difficult the situation Liszt is in, the more he can showcase his skills in the Black Sail.

He also believes that Kai Deng's skill level can make it to the finals, and this is my final ripple: Twelve Golden Dragons, bet on Kai Deng winning!

The security work for the Continent Martial Arts Competition has become increasingly tight. Ben has only managed to steal this much these past few days.

He is now watching the match from the audience.

But... it's all sent over!

"What, sister, what's wrong with you?"

Ben's emotions were like a roller coaster as he realized Kai Deng's current predicament.

The continuous battles have left Kai Deng extremely exhausted, and even though he's using light weapons to parry with the Beastman, his once-acclaimed speed is no longer effective. Just earlier, a Flying Knife accurately targeted the Beastman's throat but failed to penetrate the defense, clattering to the ground.

Kai Deng... might lose.

The Beastman Xingge also emerged suddenly, previously unknown. He became famous in the competition and was coined as the "Northern Butcher" by the adventurer's guild gossip newspaper.

His physique is like that of a monster, his heart like an engine. During the peak summer heat of mid-September, the breath from his mouth is steaming.

Not only is he skilled in martial arts, but the terrifying exercises he's practiced have given him astonishing stats. Ben thinks he's a player in the same style as Ox, undertaking successive battles without a gasp, with a fast-speed and mighty force as his battle axe smashes against the ground as if to split the training field in two, sounding like rumbling thunder.

The Netherworld Envoy is the epitome of agility and speed, with terrifying bursts of power. But Kai Deng's 90-pound frame struggles with endurance, let alone fighting two matches today. Rising from the thousand initial competitors to this stage, everyone has endured numerous fierce battles. Being a Thief and reaching the semifinals is already quite remarkable.

"Out of steam."

Ben clutches his head. How could the Netherworld Envoy reach such a state?

Currently, Kai Deng is merely overextending his stamina to temporarily surpass Xingge in speed. In the process of mutual attrition, Kai Deng seems destined to lose.

On the other side of the audience.

"Oh my..."

Gren bites his nail, cheering on Little Sister, betting over ten thousand Golden Dragons.

Kai Deng's short sword in his hand was like a silver dragon, aiming for the vital points of the chest and abdomen, all hitting their marks! Yet only managing to cut through the skin of this over three-meter-tall monster, drawing some blood but not affecting its muscles or bones.

Fully closing in, his axe-spear becomes impractical. Xingge, mustering all his strength with fists bigger than Kai Deng's head, charges forward with whistling air.

That gray-green fist, let alone flesh and blood, could punch through plate armor.

However, Kai Deng was extraordinarily agile, leveraged the haft of the axe-spear and somersaulted to dodge the punch, then wrapped his legs around Xingge's neck while upside-down with two short swords forming a cross to land a decapitating strike.

Ben was overjoyed, it succeeded.

But Xingge immediately grabbed Kai Deng, in a burst of power from the exercises that summoned faint ice-like smoke entwined around his hands, mercilessly tossing her away.

The power of that throw was tantamount to firing a projectile.

Bang... bang... bang...

The backward-flying Kai Deng collided multiple times with the ground, adjusting her posture and using a short sword to dig into the sandy ground to reduce impact force, but still repeatedly hit the wall at the edge of the training field firmly, imprinting a shallow mark as intense pain erupted from her back.

"Damn it..."

Kai Deng's fingers trembled, large scrapes on her legs and arms bled, her stamina was nearly exhausted. Had she encountered him in today's first fight, she would have already taken his head off.

Damn, didn't you drug him? How is he still so vigorous?

Ben and Gren's hearts sank completely, truly at a disadvantage, completely on the losing side.

This is Kai Deng's final match; she just needs to win this one to achieve her goal, but the Northern Butcher, already among the top thirty-two martial artists, is a formidable opponent.

Seeing Kai Deng injured, Xingge naturally pressed his advantage, dragging his axe-spear across the sand-swept ground, throwing sparks fiercely, striding toward Kai Deng's edge position on the wall.

Kai Deng threw a short sword as a projectile, but Xingge paid it no heed, casually blocking it with his axe-spear.

What's going on?

Xingge felt unable to muster strength, unable to lift his axe-spear.

Crack!

The short sword shot directly into Xingge's left eye, embedding deeply, causing blood to spurt profusely.

Kai Deng smirked coolly; her colleagues' operational capability was decent, consistently at her level. Sorry, big fool, take your confusion to the grave!

Releasing all her potential, while he's temporarily blinded, Kai Deng surged forth, launching a torrential offensive.

"The tide has completely turned!" the female announcer exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement, "Kai Deng is assaulting the vital points like mad! Xingge can no longer resist; the final strike... has cut through Xingge's throat. Kai Deng wins... earning a ticket to the Stargazing Festival finals."

"Awesome!"

Ben cheered jubilantly. Though suspecting some hoodoo, he realized he won money! Double-checked the ticket stub repeatedly, this time the numbers were correct; he genuinely won!

Kai Deng's odds had been higher than Xingge's, thus the Twelve Golden Dragons he bet also doubled.

At this point, two plainclothes Royal City Guards quietly approached Ben, saying, "We are from the Royal City Guard, here is our insignia. An Honor Level adventurer, a Forest Elf, had her belongings stolen and has reported a Dark Elf with gray skin and facial scars. You are now suspected of being the perpetrator. Please come with us."

"Huh?"

Ben liked one phrase: huh.

Gren couldn't help but sigh in relief, what a gamble, and it doubled.

Galen furrowed his brows, he must quickly change this girl's mindset; all this money was supposed to fund the army against Liszt.

Deep inside the Mulong Duchy.

Inside the train.

"Damn it."

Liszt extinguished his cigarette butt, what the hell are you playing at with me, damn it, so useless. The Northern Butcher, seemingly on the verge of a clear victory, got overturned by that viper Snake Kiss after all.

Then...

The worst scenario has arrived; that viper Snake Kiss will publicly address, and I will become a favored figure on the Emperor's radar.

Liszt's face darkened, everything spiraling out of control.

"I have to leave it to Saleret."

Shadi also had to pin his hopes on Saleret, but he was also going to fight a fierce battle.

"I found a blind spot. Saleret has a high chance to win," Morison concluded. He had clashed with Saleret before, this guy is quite strong, no major issue, "but tomorrow when both Kai Deng and Saleret are present, Saleret must appear before the Emperor ahead of Kai Deng, considering tomorrow's uncertain conditions, with so many variables at play, what should we do?"

Morison's pinpoint question was absolutely correct; indeed, even as a sacrificial card, it must run faster than Kai Deng.

"This..."

Liszt pondered for a while.

Then we have no choice but to double down and ask Swan to prepare certain measures in the Imperial City in advance. Saleret, the central leadership has chosen you to become the fiercest participant in the sixteen iterations of the Continent Martial Arts Competition!

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