The reason why Yu Feng, Xiong Qi, and Lou Xing lent spirit stones to Zhu An without hesitation, apart from their families being dependent on the Zhu Family and their inability to defy them, was because they were also tempted by Wang Ruoxie's stakes.

As long as Zhu An defeated or even killed Wang Ruoxie on the battle platform of the dueling arena, they could receive double the lower-grade spirit stones.

In their eyes, it was practically being given to them for free.

The outcome of Zhu An, at the Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, against Wang Ruoxie, at the Ninth Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm, was already determined.

Moreover, Zhu An harbored a lethal intent towards Wang Ruoxie; this battle was bound to be a life-or-death struggle.

Everyone around also looked at Wang Ruoxie as if he were an idiot. This guy was simply insane, daring to duel with his mere Ninth Layer of Energy-Introducing Realm cultivation against the Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm; it was undoubtedly a path to death.

Probably only Tang Miaoyin knew that Wang Ruoxie wasn't seeking death but possessed absolute power.

Moments later, the group arrived at the dueling arena.

There, they saw a massive crowd, packed like sardines, and everyone exuded powerful auras.

Many martial cultivators with lower cultivation levels were intently watching the battle platforms, observing and learning from the combat techniques of the strong.

"Seventh Princess, it's an honor to have you here. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar,"

A middle-aged man in luxurious attire approached quickly, clasping his hands towards Tang Miaoyin.

"Steward Cui Lin, no need for such formality,"

Tang Miaoyin nodded slightly in response.

"May I ask what brings the Seventh Princess to the dueling arena?"

Cui Lin continued to ask respectfully.

"My friend here wishes to engage in a duel,"

Tang Miaoyin glanced at Wang Ruoxie and said.

"May I know who this gentleman is dueling with?"

Cui Lin turned his gaze to Wang Ruoxie, asking rather politely.

Though he didn't recognize Wang Ruoxie, being called a friend by the Seventh Princess surely meant he was extraordinary.

"He'll be dueling with me,"

Zhu An said directly.

"What?"

Cui Lin was slightly taken aback by Zhu An's words, a surprised look in his eyes.

A duel between someone from the Ninth Layer of the Energy-Introducing Realm and the Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm was clearly a death sentence.

"Seventh Princess, isn't this inappropriate?"

Cui Lin said to Tang Miaoyin.

He naturally didn't care about Wang Ruoxie's life or death, but if the Seventh Princess's friend died here, it would be difficult for him to explain.

"It's fine. Regardless of the outcome of their duel, it's no concern of your Star Hall's,"

Tang Miaoyin smiled slightly and said.

"Then I'll arrange the battle platform for these two gentlemen now,"

Upon hearing this, Cui Lin said nothing more and then addressed Wang Ruoxie and Zhu An: "May I know what stakes the two gentlemen are wagering on their duel?"

"One thousand lower-grade spirit stones,"

Wang Ruoxie replied.

After speaking, he took out one thousand lower-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch.

These one thousand lower-grade spirit stones were the reward he received for achieving first place in the assessment.

"This guy can really produce one thousand lower-grade spirit stones,"

Seeing this scene, the four of Zhu An slightly narrowed their eyes, then all sneered, thinking that these one thousand lower-grade spirit stones would soon belong to them.

Once the four of Zhu An pooled together one thousand lower-grade spirit stones, they handed them over to Cui Lin as the stakes for this duel.

"These two thousand lower-grade spirit stones are the stakes for the two gentlemen's duel, to be awarded to the ultimate winner,"

Cui Lin stored the two thousand lower-grade spirit stones into a storage pouch and said to Wang Ruoxie and Zhu An.

Wang Ruoxie and Zhu An both nodded, having already considered these two thousand lower-grade spirit stones as their own.

Soon, Cui Lin had arranged the battle platform.

The entire dueling arena was a circular building with tiered stands, capable of accommodating at least a hundred thousand people.

At the very center of the arena were nine battle platforms, each one clearly visible from every stand.

By this time, the duel between Wang Ruoxie and Zhu An had spread.

"Ha... That guy named Wang Ruoxie is such a fool, daring to duel at the Ninth Layer of Energy-Introducing Realm against the Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm,"

"Either he's a lunatic or he's seeking death,"

"Who cares if he lives or dies? Let's hurry and place our bets; this duel is practically handing us money,"

…

On the stands of the dueling arena, many people were discussing.

However, their words all contained contempt for Wang Ruoxie.

Of course, most were frantically placing bets because they believed the outcome of this duel was almost predestined; as long as they bet on Zhu An to win, they could easily make money.

Tang Miaoyin, Wang Ruoxie, and others also arrived at the betting counter.

"I bet fifty thousand gold on myself to win,"

Wang Ruoxie took out fifty thousand gold notes and handed them to the staff.

These fifty thousand gold were acquired from those he had slain during the second round of the assessment.

Knowing he would win, he naturally wanted to earn more.

After recording, the staff handed him a betting slip, which he could use to claim his winnings after the duel.

"I bet one hundred thousand gold on Wang Ruoxie to win,"

Tang Miaoyin also took out one hundred thousand gold notes, betting on Wang Ruoxie's victory.

Zhu An, Yu Feng, Xiong Qi, and Lou Xing naturally also placed bets, and they all wagered everything they had on Zhu An.

Aside from Tang Miaoyin and Wang Ruoxie themselves, almost everyone else bet their entire assets on Zhu An winning.

After all, in their eyes, this was a duel without suspense—the more they bet, the more they could win.

This also made Wang Ruoxie's win payout ratio extremely high, reaching an unprecedented one hundred to one, while Zhu An's win was only one to one.

"Seventh Princess, congratulations,"

Wang Ruoxie smiled at Tang Miaoyin and said.

"Same to you,"

Tang Miaoyin blinked and smiled.

Clearly, they both knew that this battle would not result in Wang Ruoxie's defeat.

With a one hundred to one payout, as long as Wang Ruoxie won, he would receive five million taels of gold, and Tang Miaoyin would get ten million taels of gold.

Such an enormous sum was a considerable fortune even for Tang Miaoyin, as the Seventh Princess of the Royal Family.

"Do you really think you can walk off the platform alive?"

Zhu An sneered and said.

Yet Wang Ruoxie completely ignored Zhu An; he simply lifted his foot and walked onto the battle platform arranged by Cui Lin.

"Zhu An, come on up,"

Wang Ruoxie looked down at Zhu An, spitting out a cold remark.

Since it was a life-or-death battle, he certainly would not be polite to his opponent.

"This guy is really rushing to his death,"

"Brother Zhu, finish him in one move,"

"Just a dying man, yet dares to be so arrogant,"

Yu Feng and the other two coldly heckled.

"Since you're rushing to die, I'll make it happen,"

Zhu An stared at Wang Ruoxie with a grim face and said coldly.

As his words fell, his body quivered and, soaring like a great bird, he gracefully landed on the battle platform, eliciting applause.

"Seventh Princess, should I step in to save him?"

Cui Lin approached Tang Miaoyin and whispered.

"He won't lose,"

Tang Miaoyin shook her head with a faint smile.

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