C16 Bet!

Chapter Sixteen: The Wager

"Sure, the Five-colored Python is incredibly dangerous, but as they say, where there's risk, there's opportunity. If I can pull this off, I'll be that much closer to obtaining the Indestructible Mystic Scripture!"

"And aside from its freakishly potent venom, its actual strength is only rated as a High Grade of Low Rank, which translates to a Ninth Level Spirit Cultivator in the Human Clan. There's definitely a fighting chance..."

"This mission is urgent, too... I don't have much time to prepare. What to do, what to do? This is really eating at me!"

Lin Xuan agonized over the decision, unable to commit. The words 'instant death upon contact' loomed large in his mind, sending him into a full-blown panic.

The idea of teaming up? Lin Xuan dismissed it outright. Teaming up was out of the question. No way was he going to split his 1000 Contribution Points and end up with just 500!

Even if the points were divided based on individual contributions to the hunt, he'd still have to give up too much. Lin Xuan was pained at the thought, too attached to let any go.

"Damn it, Lin Xuan, you're such an idiot. You've been given a second shot at life, not to mention a system at your disposal. You're practically the chosen one, and yet you're cowering at the thought of facing a Five-colored Python. How will you ever achieve greatness at this rate..."

After much internal debate and self-scolding, Lin Xuan steeled himself, clenched his teeth, and declared, "To hell with it, I'm in!"

"There's a saying, 'Fortune favors the bold.' Time to take a chance and turn this bike into a motorcycle!"

With that, Lin Xuan strode up to one of the managers in the Replacement Hall and announced, "Manager, I'm taking on the missions for the Devil Ape, Giant Crocodile, and Five-colored Python!"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, the gaunt manager behind the counter stared at him as if he were a creature from another world and asked incredulously, "Young man, unless I'm mistaken, you're only a Seventh Level Spiritual Cultivator. These Demon Beasts are each more formidable than the last. Are you courting death?"

"Manager, rest assured, I've got everything under control. No need for concern!"

Upon hearing this, the gaunt manager couldn't help but chuckle. With a mocking tone, he said, "Listen, kid, I'm not trying to belittle you, but with your level of cultivation, you're only suited for the most basic tasks. These advanced missions are way out of your league!"

Lin Xuan scowled, thinking to himself, "Why's there so much blabbering just to take on a mission?"

"No need for the concern, Manager. Just hand over the mission card to me, so no one else snatches it up first!"

In the Replacement Hall, once a mission was accepted, the mission card had to be taken. Only after the mission was completed would the card be returned, ensuring no one else could claim the same task.

"Hmph, kid, I tried to give you a friendly warning, but you're just too cocky for your own good. If you're so eager to meet your end, then I'm happy to oblige!"

With that, the manager tossed three mission cards at Lin Xuan with a look that seemed to say, "I can't wait to see how you'll fail!"

Lin Xuan's commotion caught the attention of everyone in the hall, and they joined the manager in verbally skewering him.

"Hehe, where did this greenhorn come from? So audacious to take on a Ninth Stage mission with only the cultivation of a Seventh Level Spiritual Cultivator. He's practically signing his own death warrant!"

"Hehe, exactly. That Five-colored Python mission has been up for seven days, and even those at the Spirit Warrior Stage are wary of its venom, unwilling to take it on. Yet, it's been snatched up by a mere Seventh Level Spiritual Cultivator. Ignorance truly is bliss!"

"Isn't this the same branch family youngster who stirred up trouble in the mansion yesterday? Always a headache, this one. Just look at him, he's a dead man walking!"

In just a few moments, Lin Xuan found himself surrounded by a crowd eager to see him fail.

"Hehe, seems like you all doubt me. How about we make it interesting with a wager?"

"If I fail to complete these three missions, I'll hand over 200 Contribution Points to each person who bets against me. But if I succeed, each one of you will owe me 200 Contribution Points. Anyone interested in trying their luck?"

Lin Xuan, with a plan in mind, suddenly spoke up.

To his surprise, his words were met with derision. "Hahaha, kid, are you trying to die laughing and take over my Contribution Points? What if you don't manage to kill the Demon Beast and end up dead yourself? Then who's going to hand over those Contribution Points to us?"

"Hehe, what do you think about this? I've come across a set of low-grade Spiritual Skills by chance — Storm Wave. Right now, I'm only asking for 500 Contribution Points for it. Anyone interested?"

Lin Xuan's calm and confident tone left many in the crowd puzzled about what he was really up to.

But when they heard Lin Xuan was looking to sell a spirit technique, someone quickly caught on and asked, "Wind and Cloud Wave... Is that the same technique you used to counter the Wave Tide scroll yesterday?"

In the hall, there were those who had witnessed Lin Xuan's duel with Lin Tianyi the day before and had seen the spirit technique he wielded.

"Exactly!"

"I'll take it!"

The moment Lin Xuan's words fell, the man in the green robe eagerly chimed in, striking a deal without a second thought.

The reason was simple: Lin Xuan's Wind and Cloud Wave, while still a low-grade spirit technique, was superior to the scroll!

Consider that the low-grade spirit techniques being hawked outside were going for 800 Contribution Points, and here was Lin Xuan offering it for nearly half off!

By any calculation, it was a steal of a deal. There was no reason to pass it up!

In no time at all, Lin Xuan and the man completed the transaction. The man paid for the scroll, and Lin Xuan promptly imprinted the Wind and Cloud Wave onto it and handed it over.

"Haha, look at that, I've got 500 Contribution Points now. Anyone up for a wager? We'll have the Replacement Hall act as the guarantor and deposit the 500 Contribution Points there."

"With everyone here as my witness, if I don't fulfill the mission or if I die, these 500 Contribution Points go to him. Otherwise, he owes me 500 Contribution Points!"

Lin Xuan said, his smile brimming with confidence.

For Lin Xuan, this kind of no-risk deal was the best kind. Earning an extra 500 Contribution Points to trade for the Indestructible Mystic Scripture was an opportunity too good to pass up.

"Hahaha, come at me! If you're so eager to throw your life away and hand over Contribution Points for nothing, why wouldn't I take them? Let's make that bet!"

The speaker was a young man clad in a Taoist robe, his appearance marked by a pair of sly, rat-like eyes that seemed to reveal his lowly nature.

"Alright, let's have witnesses to this bet, to prevent any sore losers from backing out later!"

Lin Xuan called out.

"Hmph, kid, rest easy. I'll stand as your guarantor. No one will dare to welch on this bet. I'm curious to see just how you plan to pull off these three missions!" The gaunt overseer interjected with a cold snort, addressing Lin Xuan.

"Hehe, much obliged, overseer!" Lin Xuan hadn't expected the overseer to be so cooperative and readily agreed.

But in the next moment, the overseer's smile took on a chilling edge. "Hold on... I'm not offering my help for free. There will be a price to pay!"

"I'm not after your Contribution Points. Hehe, if you fail the mission but still manage to crawl back here alive, then you'll kowtow to me three times in front of everyone and declare yourself worthless!"

"Of course, to make things more interesting, if you do complete the mission and return here unscathed, then my previous words will be null and void. In fact, I'll even toss you an extra five hundred Contribution Points. How does that sound?"