Chapter 238: The Bet

Regarding this matter, the disciples who had heard about it had mixed reactions—some admired him, while others scoffed.

Some believed that Gu Fan had just entered the sect and already displayed such aggressive momentum, even defeating Xia Qianliu, who ranked seventeenth among the True Disciples, in a single battle.

With such achievements, perhaps he truly had a chance to break into the top ten.

But others thought Gu Fan was merely daydreaming. The gap between the top ten and the top twenty was enormous!

Especially the top ten—all of them were at the peak level of the Solar Radiance Realm.

A disciple at the Divine Moon Realm attempting to leap an entire major realm to achieve victory? That was nearly impossible!

Moreover, Gu Fan’s actions had, invisibly, offended a group of True Disciples, especially those ranked between tenth and fifteenth.

Gu Fan might be impressive, defeating the seventeenth-ranked Xia Qianliu in his very first match.

According to the rules, he indeed could ignore those ranked below seventeen.

But between ranks fifteen and ten, there were still several True Disciples. To leap past them all so abruptly—wasn’t that far too arrogant?

He was treating them as if they were nothing.

One should know, in the past, every True Disciple had climbed the ranks one step at a time. Even those who challenged across rankings only skipped one or two spots at most.

Who else but Gu Fan would aim straight for the top ten like this?

“Hehe, does this guy really think that by defeating Xia Qianliu, he can ignore our existence? Trying to step directly into the top ten—what arrogance!”

“Last time when he beat Xia Qianliu, I thought he was interesting. But now it seems he’s just the next Xia Qianliu—arrogant and overconfident!”

“Don’t rush. Xun Bo is no pushover. He’s held his position in the top ten of the True Disciples for many years, with countless methods at his disposal.”

“That’s right. Xun Bo isn’t someone to be trifled with—he always seeks revenge. Now that Gu Fan has offended him, he’ll definitely suffer during the challenge.”

Several people laughed darkly. Not to mention, Gu Fan earning Nan Xuanrou’s favor was already enough to stir jealousy.

Now, with talent and strength on top of that, he attracted even more envy.

“Everyone, why don’t we set up a betting pool and wager on Gu Fan’s win rate?”

“For such an obvious loss, is that even worth it?”

“Of course. I’ve heard quite a few disciples are supporting Gu Fan. If there’s money to be made, why shouldn’t we?”

“I think it’s feasible. Let’s set up a private betting pool.”

And so, overnight, a betting pool on the outcome between Gu Fan and Xun Bo spread across the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and even into the Core Disciple circles of the Immortal Ai Sect.

This matter was already well known, and with half a month of spreading and fermenting,

Almost everyone in the sect had heard about it.

Soon, the odds were released after the pool was established.

Ten to one!

Less than ten percent believed Gu Fan could win the challenge!

Everyone else thought that in the end, Xun Bo would emerge victorious. After all, the gap in strength and realm was simply too wide.

They couldn’t think of any reason to support Gu Fan’s victory, so they all placed their bets on Xun Bo’s win at that location.

Gu Fan learned about this from Mao Chang, who told him later. Upon hearing that the odds on him were ten to one, he was instantly intrigued.

“Mao Bro, the house behind this betting pool isn’t going to renege on the payout, right?”

Mao Chang’s eyes twitched, immediately understanding Gu Fan’s meaning. He chuckled and replied:

“No need to worry. Although the betting pool is organized by several True Disciples ranked around the tenth position, it’s backed by the third-ranked Qingxia Young Master and the first-ranked Heqing among the True Disciples… Oh, I mean in rankings that exclude the Eldest Senior Brother and Senior Sister Nan—their status isn’t included in the ranking.”

“With their strength and reputation, they wouldn’t ruin their credibility over such a small betting pool.”

Gu Fan nodded. As long as there were guarantees, he had nothing to fear. Otherwise, he worried they might run off if they lost.

Thinking of this, Gu Fan continued:

“How do I place a bet?”

“If Brother Gu is interested, I can place the bet on your behalf.”

“Alright.”

Gu Fan took out a full chest of Mysterious Dao Stones and said:

“Bet all of these—on me to win.”

Upon seeing such a large chest of Mysterious Dao Stones, Mao Chang’s brow twitched sharply several times!

Such a huge chest—Gu Fan was clearly going in for a big play.

If he actually won the challenge, with a ten-to-one payout… even Qingxia Young Master and Heqing might struggle to cover the loss.

“This… Brother Gu, you’re betting this much?”

Gu Fan smiled and said:

“This is nothing. If I weren’t worried those two wouldn’t be able to pay out, I would’ve added a few more chests.”

Mao Chang pressed his lips together. Was this man truly confident, or did he simply have such deep pockets that he didn’t even care about this amount of Mysterious Dao Stones…

One had to understand—this single chest alone was something even a typical Core Disciple might not be able to accumulate in five years.

Yet Gu Fan casually tossed it out like it was a pile of spare change—without the slightest pain?

“Then I’ll trouble Brother Mao Chang to place the bet on my behalf.”

Mao Chang cupped his hands. In the end, he didn’t try to persuade him any further and simply smiled bitterly:

“If Brother Gu wins this time, I fear everyone else who placed bets will be crying their eyes out.”

“Haha, doing business isn’t just about making money. Since they all think I’ll lose, I’ll teach them what risk really means.”

“In that case, I shall take my leave.”

After bidding farewell, Mao Chang immediately carried the Mysterious Dao Stones to the betting location.

When everyone saw Mao Chang, they laughed and said:

“Isn’t this our Immortal Ai Sect’s all-knowing Mao Chang? Here to place a bet as well?”

“Come on, you think only you get to make money? Can’t he come get a slice of the pie too?”

Mao Chang chuckled and said:

“Relax, I’m not taking any of your pie. I’m just here to increase the size of your pot.”

At those words, everyone paused in surprise.

“Increase the pot?”

“With ten-to-one odds, even if you win, you’ll barely get a share, right?”

As he spoke, Mao Chang waved his hand and a large chest of Mysterious Dao Stones appeared on the table.

“Place my bet—on Gu Fan to win the challenge!”

Everyone thought they had misheard.

“Wait, what did you say?”

“Did I hear wrong? You’re betting on Gu Fan to win the challenge? And you’re putting down a whole chest of Mysterious Dao Stones?”

Once they snapped out of it, the two burst into laughter.

“Have you lost your mind? Betting on Gu Fan to win in a challenge he’s sure to lose?”

“Senior Brother Xun Bo has been firmly in the top ten True Disciples for years. You think he’ll lose to Gu Fan? What a joke!”

Mao Chang said with a smile:

“That’s right—I’m betting on Gu Fan to win. Got a problem with that? Or are you saying you don’t dare take the bet?”

“This…”

For a moment, the ones in charge of the betting pool didn’t know how to respond. Mao Chang’s words had hit them right where it hurt.

That chest of Mysterious Dao Stones wasn’t a small amount.

If Gu Fan really had a stroke of luck and won the battle, they’d probably lose everything—down to their pants!

If they accepted the bet privately and ended up being blamed by the senior brothers afterward, how could they continue to operate within the sect?

Just as they hesitated, a voice, indistinguishable between male and female, rang out.

“Take it. We’re doing business here. What’s this talk of not daring to take it?”

Everyone turned to look and saw someone of extremely handsome appearance—so striking it was hard to tell whether it was a man or woman—arriving at the scene.

“Qingxia Young Master!”

The handsome figure walked up to Mao Chang with a smile and said casually:

“I’ll take this chest of Mysterious Dao Stones. If Gu Fan really wins, I’ll give you ten chests in return—not a single stone missing.”

Facing one of the top three True Disciples in the sect, Mao Chang felt enormous pressure.

“Many thanks, Senior Brother Qingxia. I won’t stay any longer.”

With that, Mao Chang cupped his hands in salute and quickly turned to leave.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep