The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 1017: High-Stakes Gamble

Chapter 1017: Chapter 1017: High-Stakes Gamble

Amidst the surprise, Cao Lin felt a bit puzzled.

He hadn’t known Jing Yan for long, and they had only interacted a few times, but he somewhat understood Jing Yan’s character. He felt that Jing Yan was not the type to be arrogant and boastful. So what was the meaning behind Jing Yan’s actions at this moment?

Cao Lin furrowed his brow as he watched Jing Yan’s back.

"What is Brother Jing Yan planning to do?"

"Has Junior Brother Jing Yan really gone mad? Does he intend to challenge Meng He, Chen Ying, and Jin Guang from the Water Moon Department?"

"Oh my! Meng He is now already a Six-star Void God, and both Chen Ying and Jin Guang are very powerful Five-star Void Gods. Is Junior Brother Jing Yan going to challenge the three of them on his own?"

"I get it, I get it!" One person suddenly said, brightening up.

"What do you understand?" The others looked towards this person.

"This is Brother Jing Yan’s strategy. Brother Jing Yan knows he can’t confidently defeat any one of them, so he might as well let the three come at him together. This way, losing to the three of them together won’t be too embarrassing. He won’t lose face, and neither will our Green Wood Department," the person whispered.

Everyone showed expressions of realization; indeed, this was a very possible explanation, otherwise, Jing Yan’s actions made no sense.

"This Jing Yan is quite arrogant!"

"Hmph, with such arrogance, it’s fortunate he didn’t join our Sky Wolf Department! Even if he has high talent, our Sky Wolf Department does not welcome such people!" the Sky Wolf Department Director said disdainfully.

Clearly, this was a case of sour grapes. If Jing Yan wanted to join the Sky Wolf Department, he definitely wouldn’t hesitate at all.

The other directors laughed at these words, knowing full well the truth, but not pointing it out.

...

"Ignorant child, what bold words you utter."

"Finish him!"

"Show him the power of the Water Moon Department! How dare the Green Wood Department’s trash make a scene before us!"

The people of the Water Moon Department couldn’t stay calm, as insults erupted fiercely.

"Heh, Jing Yan is indeed smart! Challenging three people, and even if he loses, it seems reasonable," Guan Zhuo said with a slight squint, laughing as if he understood Jing Yan’s intention.

"Director Guan Zhuo is somewhat judging others with a petty heart!" Jing Yan immediately said, "How about we add some stakes to this battle?"

"Stakes?" Guan Zhuo’s eyes flashed.

"Yes, I challenge Meng He, Chen Ying, and Jin Guang. Let’s make this battle more interesting with stakes. How about a bet of one million first-level Divine Crystals?" Jing Yan proposed.

Previously, Jing Yan had no interest in entangling with the likes of Jin Guang, as defeating them was meaningless. Now, with the Water Moon Department people pushing too far, Jing Yan had no choice but to act. However, if he could get them to add stakes, it wouldn’t be bad.

"Kid, are you sure?" Meng He asked.

A million Divine Crystals is not a small amount. Even some ordinary True Gods can’t afford to ignore a million Divine Crystals.

"Of course I’m sure. The stake is a million Divine Crystals. However, you are three people, so naturally each person must put up a million Divine Crystals, totaling three million Divine Crystals." Jing Yan said unhurriedly.

Meng He and the others frowned.

"I’m putting up a million Divine Crystals, and yet you three are joining forces against me with only a total of one million Divine Crystals? Clearly, that’s not fair. What are you hesitating over, is it because you lack confidence in defeating me?" Jing Yan continued.

Meng He and the others exchanged glances.

For them, a million Divine Crystals was no small amount. Taking out such a large resource was indeed painful. But then again, how could all three of them together possibly lose to Jing Yan? Moreover, Meng He was a Six-star Void God. Even Meng He alone would not lose to Jing Yan. With the three of them together, they could easily sweep Jing Yan.

Winning a bet of a million Divine Crystals, split among the three, would mean over three hundred thousand Divine Crystals for each.

Betting one million to win thirty thousand, particularly when there was no risk of losing, was undoubtedly a very worthwhile gamble.

The three exchanged a few words and made a decision.

"Jing Yan, we’ll bet as you said!" Meng He said seriously.

Guan Zhuo’s eyes flickered continuously. At this point, even he was unsure of Jing Yan’s intentions. Previously, he’d thought Jing Yan challenged the three to protect his dignity even in defeat. But now, with a bet of a million Divine Crystals on the line, the cost seemed too high just for saving face.

"Jing Yan, we agree, let’s begin!" Jin Guang urged.

"Wait a moment!" Jing Yan shook his head.

"What, have you regretted it?" Jin Guang sneered.

The surrounding crowd laughed, looking at Jing Yan with increasing disdain. They believed Jing Yan was just posturing, proposing a bet of a million Divine Crystals, then hesitating.

"I haven’t regretted, but... a million Divine Crystals is no small number. What if you lose and refuse to pay? Even if I could kill you, Director Guan Zhuo of your Water Moon Department likely wouldn’t let me do that," Jing Yan chuckled.

"Laughable, how could we refuse to pay?"

"Jing Yan, do you think delaying with such petty tricks is clever?" They laughed contemptuously.

"I don’t know you well and can’t guarantee you won’t renege. So let’s hand our stakes over to the directors of both sides for safekeeping," Jing Yan said, narrowing his eyes.

Indeed, Jing Yan didn’t fully trust Meng He and the others. A million Divine Crystals per person, three million first-level Divine Crystals altogether. If the three were truly to renege, Jing Yan would have little recourse since killing them would be out of the question, the Water Moon Department Director wouldn’t allow it. It’s much safer for the bet to be held by the department directors. A director from the Second Palace wouldn’t want to lose face by reneging, especially not from the strongest Water Moon Department among the Ninety-nine Departments.

"That makes sense!" Before Meng He and the others could respond, Guan Zhuo spoke up, "Meng He, you should give me your stakes! After the battle is over, I’ll return them to you, along with your winnings."

"Okay." The three replied.

Jing Yan also took out the Divine Crystals. He had only about six hundred thousand first-level Divine Crystals left, but he also had Law Crystals and Heavenly Repairing Pills. After calculating, he took out a stake worth a million first-level Divine Crystals and handed it to Green Wood Department Director Cao Lin.

"Brother Jing Yan, this..." Cao Lin, taking Jing Yan’s resources, felt uneasy.

"Director Cao Lin, these stakes are personal, you needn’t worry. Even if I lose, I won’t ask the Green Wood Department to cover it," Jing Yan communicated through Divine Thought with Cao Lin.

"Moreover, Director Cao Lin, if you have faith in me, you might even take this opportunity to make a bet with Guan Zhuo," Jing Yan added.