The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2711 - 2686: Earth-Shattering Odds!

Betting on the Sword Demon presented too great a risk, while the returns from backing Xu Guang were meager!

The remaining warriors, who had not yet placed their wagers, had essentially decided against it!

The Underground Casino ceased accepting bets precisely two hours before the commencement of the Martial Arts Competition.

Throughout the preceding days, Lin Bai had visited the Underground Casino on occasion, observing the fluctuations in his own betting odds!

... The seventh day dawned!

At the break of dawn, Lin Bai departed from the Tang Family residence as usual, making his way towards the Fighting Arena.

This was the day designated for his Martial Arts Competition against Xu Guang.

Even before approaching the arena, despite the sky not yet being fully illuminated, the thoroughfare connecting Black Water City to the Fighting Arena was already thronged with an immense crowd.

Likewise, every seat within the Fighting Arena's spectator stands was occupied by eager warriors.

Tickets for the inner field had, three days prior, been inflated to an astonishing price of ten thousand Merits each!

Meanwhile, seats in the Private Rooms saw daily bids exceeding one hundred thousand Merits.

For instance, the Yellow Character No.1 Private Room, where Madam Yang was situated, commanded a daily rental fee of one million Merits!

In bygone eras, any warrior fortunate enough to secure a spot in a Private Room for spectating contests was either immensely wealthy or of high status, naturally unconcerned by the expenditure of a mere million plus Merits.

Conveniently, the Yellow Character No.1 Private Room that Madam Yang had secured at the Fighting Arena was leased on a year-long contract!

Navigating through the crowded passageways of Black Water City and finally extricating himself from the multitude, Lin Bai succeeded in entering the Fighting Arena.

Proceeding down a dimly lit corridor, Lin Bai donned the guise of the Sword Demon.

He made a direct course for Yellow Character No.1.

Upon entering the Elegant Pavilion, Lin Bai observed that within the Yellow Character No.1 Elegant Pavilion that day, aside from Madam Yang and her retinue of four attractive young men, a considerable assembly of elderly and middle-aged gentlemen were also present!

"Is the Sword Demon here?"

"So, that is the famed Sword Demon?"

"Heh, your reputation precedes you."

As Lin Bai entered the Elegant Pavilion, the assembled elders and middle-aged men turned their gazes towards him, offering cheerful chuckles.

Madam Yang rose and addressed him, "Sword Demon, you have arrived!"

Lin Bai offered a slight nod, maintaining his silence.

Madam Yang proceeded with introductions, "These are esteemed Elders from my Zhao Family. This gentleman is the Patriarch of the Zhang family, and also my elder brother, Zhaoyun Tian!"

Instantly, a middle-aged man, emanating an aura of authority from his seat, stood and regarded the Sword Demon with a smile, stating, "Irrespective of the outcome of this bout, simply give it your best effort."

Observing the smile gracing Zhaoyun Tian's features, Lin Bai discerned that the warriors of the Zhao Family held no genuine confidence in him whatsoever.

From Madam Yang and Zhaoyun Tian down to the other influential figures of the Zhao Family, all evidently believed Lin Bai was destined for defeat!

Furthermore, Lin Bai deduced from the amiable expressions on Madam Yang's and Zhaoyun Tian's faces that they had not, in fact, placed any wagers on him!

Had they committed their resources to Lin Bai, their current demeanor of unreserved smiles and profound relaxation would be utterly impossible!

Having already surmised their lack of faith through their bets, Lin Bai refrained from further inquiry and simply responded with a smile, "Very well, I shall descend now to prepare."

Zhaoyun Tian smiled and bid him, "Proceed."

Lin Bai turned and exited Yellow Character No.1!

Zhaoyun Tian then resumed his seat, a gleeful smile spreading across his countenance. "It appears we underestimated the potential returns. The Young Lord of Houtu City initially placed five hundred million Merits, subsequently augmenting it with another five hundred million!"

"A grand total of one billion Merits!"

Madam Yang chimed in with a smile, "However, our bets were placed earlier. By the time they made their wagers, Senior Xu Guang's odds had already been adjusted to even stakes, whereas upon our betting, the odds stood at one to two!"

Zhaoyun Tian remarked, "Had I foreseen this, I ought to have committed a larger sum at that juncture—deploying the entirety of the Zhao Family's liquid assets accumulated over recent years directly onto Senior Xu Guang, a staggering two billion Merits in one fell swoop!"

Madam Yang elaborated, "Our Zhao Family initially wagered one hundred million Merits, subsequently adding three more instances, accumulating to a total of seven hundred million Merits. This represents the absolute limit of capital the Family could mobilize!"

"That is sufficient!"

Both Zhaoyun Tian and Madam Yang offered slight nods of agreement.

Zhaoyun Tian declared, "Sister, following today's events, you shall be hailed as the principal benefactor of the Zhao Family. I am eager to witness if those antiquated naysayers will dare to utter a single word of dissent!"

Madam Yang offered a faint smile, remaining silent, yet upon hearing Zhaoyun Tian's declaration, a subtle undertone of pleased anticipation flickered across her features.