Bai Yi smiled warmly, casting a sidelong glance at the other two individuals nearby. Both were of gold middle rank: one was Baker, a member of the Lotte family, who had previously lost to Guan Xin. The other was a female half-elf with remarkable potential.
Half-elves inherit the rapid growth of humans and the longevity of elves, living up to 300 years—three times longer than a typical long-lived human, yet one-third the lifespan of an ordinary elf. This 24-year-old, level 68 glorious assassin is named Yuan Ming Yongyi. Still a minor by half-elf standards, she is said to be a protégé of Oganna and is expected to become a future leader among elves.
The distinctions of potential are stark. Individuals with SSS-level potential are not merely geniuses; they find attaining gold rank relatively easy. With the restoration of magic power, becoming a legend is merely a matter of time. Others present here also possess at least SS-level potential, eager to witness the confrontation between top-tier talents, hoping for insights into the underlying rules.
Potential classification is straightforward:
C Level: Can definitely enter the extraordinary realm. B Level: Certain to reach Silver. A Level: Guaranteed Silver, with a chance to achieve Gold. S Level: Assured Gold, with a chance for Gold level. SS Level: Definitely Gold level, with a chance to reach Legendary level. SSS Level: Guaranteed Legendary, with a chance to enter the Forbidden Realm.
This is why Bai Yi garners such serious attention from the Federation. SS-level individuals are often direct disciples of major city lords, like Mo Sen from Dongwu City and Qin Xia from Nanling City. If a god were to descend and annihilate this group, Dawn could simply declare itself disbanded.
Bai Yi felt two particularly intense gazes upon him, which gave him the sensation of being seen through. Yet, these stares remained friendly, and he welcomed them. The fragrance of the girl in his arms drew his attention to Yuan Tang, and he couldn't help but look.
"Care to place a bet?" he asked.
A holographic screen materialized before Bai Yi, displaying a staggering betting situation: within twenty minutes, bets on official letters had soared to 5 billion and were still climbing, while Bai Yi's side barely reached 100 million. Most of that seemed to come from affluent merchants and legionnaires in Dongwu City, as the White Plague's reputation primarily resonated with the civilian populace, noted for being the greatest mechanic.
Despite the disparity in levels—everyone understood that a three-level gap typically results in domination. For Bai Yi, the odds didn't deter the pursuit of profit.
Yuan Tang remained silent, observing before looking away. He knew he couldn't hold onto his sister forever but would keep a watchful eye on her suitors. Official letters may have harassed her verbally, but they dared not approach physically, not due to the Tifeng family's power, but because of his own reputation.
As others noticed the light screen, they pulled out their phones, captivated by the betting frenzy. Bai Yi watched as bets on official letters surged to 5.5 billion, indicating that the scions of powerful families were also optimistic about the geniuses involved.
With just three minutes left to bet, Guan Xin opened his eyes, and the flaming throne behind him disintegrated into clouds of fire. His golden staff radiated scorching light, perfectly suiting his attributes and enhancing his combat power beyond that of other epic equipment.
"To be fair, I won't bully you. You can make the first move, or you won't stand a chance," he declared coldly.
Bai Yi noted the time. Following the surge of power from the official letter, his own bets jumped from 5.5 billion to 6.5 billion. With over 800 million in the Federation and around 120 million placing bets online, the total gambling potential could reach seven billion.
He leaned closer to Diane, whispering, "You can place your bets now," as he stood up and summoned a ten-centimeter cone. "You'd best hide quickly, or—"
He glanced at Oganna, smiling. "Even the law enforcer may not save you."
"Hide? Ha!" Guan Xin scoffed. "Let me show you what invincible power looks like."
The fiery clouds above pressed closer, and the surrounding fire elements became increasingly agitated, flickering with latent energy. A sense of solemnity and shock rippled through the onlookers, who felt the overwhelming threat of magic and the oppressive heat of a world ignited.
Bai Yi allowed Guan Xin to build momentum, and the stakes continued to rise. As the countdown neared its end, Guan Xin's side reached 7 billion, while Bai Yi's chips soared to 700 million.
Bai Yi couldn't help but glance back at Diane, who was eagerly tapping the screen, embodying her status as the eldest daughter.
Buzz!
Guan Xin's power surpassed that of the average gold superior, shadows of parliamentarians flickering around him. The sky lost its fiery clouds, engulfed instead by a torrent of flames, pushing the temperature beyond 500 degrees and igniting the dry grass beneath.
The fire elements roared in celebration, heralding the arrival of their king.
As the countdown reached zero, bets on both sides reached a staggering 73/10.
At that moment, the White Plague sprang into action.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The metallic rhythm of death resonated in his hands, each strike of the metal cone granting greater kinetic energy to the gold-eating bug before him. A tempest erupted, dispersing the surrounding heat and flames.
Around them, onlookers' eyes widened in alarm.
A sense of fatality washed over Guan Xin as he grasped the gravity of the situation.
Flames converged, forming a blazing sun before him, its brilliance outshining even the sun above. The searing heat drove spectators to retreat.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The metallic rhythm transformed into a roar, leaving a trail of superheated air, reminiscent of a machine's growl.
With a sudden explosion, the massive sun detonated, capable of melting the gold-eating insects, but unable to consume the overwhelming kinetic energy unleashed.
The temperature spiked, causing the earth to begin crystallizing into a golden surface, obscuring the scene within.
Bai Yi's eyes gleamed with interest; though he appeared unchanged, a shift overtook him—gentleness giving way to a violent, malevolent demeanor.
A pitch-black scalpel materialized in his hand, green light flickering across its blade. His eyes turned scarlet as he vanished amidst the exploding sun.
Poison smear, bloody backstab, extreme malevolence, demonic flash.
Guan Xin sensed the shift; the arrogance in his gaze faded. The golden glow of his staff intensified, muscles bulging as he prepared to retaliate.
He gripped his staff tightly, swinging it back forcefully.
With a thunderous crash, a torrent of blood and energy surged forth, enveloping the temperature in a suffocating aura.
Diane, initially secure on her throne, frowned, conjuring a protective shield that brought her to her brother's side. Yuan Tang placed a comforting hand on her head, keeping his gaze fixed on the colossal fireball.
Despite the gravity of the situation, a dismissive thought crossed his mind—this White Plague was truly unexpected.
"Evil thoughts are manifestations of the world's darkest emotions," Oganna's calm voice cut through the tension. "They despise holy light, and divine arts have some restraining effect. However, their bodies must be nearly obliterated to be vanquished."
The crowd absorbed this information, understanding dawning on their faces. It was indeed the infamous evil thoughts—no wonder the stakes were so high.
"You've proven worthy of being my opponent. Now it's my turn," Guan Xin declared, as an even more terrifying heat enveloped the battlefield. His fighting spirit surged, a wild grin forming on his lips. "Remember, close combat isn't a mage's weakness!"
His muscles swelled, straining against his robe, exuding an aura of immense power.
Boom!
A white flame erupted, and Guan Xin's speed surged, propelling him toward Bai Yi, staff raised for a devastating blow.
The surrounding flames thickened, becoming viscous as he unleashed his attack.
Demonic Flash!
Buzz!
Boom!
The earth stilled momentarily before a beam of pure white flame shot skyward, transforming the fiery sky into a blinding white, igniting the surroundings.
Only beings above silver level were permitted to observe this clash. The intense heat stirred the nearby city, threatening devastation.
Helen extended her hand helplessly, summoning a massive aura that cloaked the battlefield in a shield, ensuring safety.
The impact of the Demonic Flash landed just behind Guan Xin, exploiting the weakness of the Bloody Backstab. Yet, the surrounding heat still stung.
This was indeed a formidable opponent.
The power exhibited earlier surpassed that of the evil thoughts, and while his speed matched theirs, intelligence could deliver a fatal blow.
Bai Yi's eyes gleamed with intent. Without the resolve to eliminate his foes, this battle would prove arduous.
Sensing a threat, Guan Xin swung his staff, striving to repel Bai Yi and end the confrontation.
Mental Stagnation!
Buzz!
Fire elements froze, ensnaring both Guan Xin and the White Plague.
Soul of Accumulation!
A figure coalesced, and to Guan Xin's shock, Bai Yi drew a dagger, both stabbing toward his vulnerable spine.
Horror filled Guan Xin's eyes as his muscles strained to break free from this spiritual grip.
But even Charles, at gold rank, couldn't escape the grasp of an 800-point spirit—Guan Xin was no exception.
Bai Yi calculated the timing of his staff's movement, releasing mental stagnation at the perfect moment.
Swoosh!
Hum!
Two piercing sounds echoed as the green-lighted dagger penetrated Guan Xin's robe.
Buzz!
The solidification magic activated, attempting to repel the White Plague and absorb the damage.
The immense energy from the Soul of Storage fractured the shield, but only slightly.
Mages command the highest salaries among professions, underscoring their formidable nature, especially one with developed attributes. Alchemists may wield machinery, but mages' solidified magic poses even greater challenges.
But that was inconsequential.
Zero: [Has taken over control of the micro-machine group.]
Demonic Flash, gold-devouring cone.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The rhythm of metal erupted at close range, the micro-machines reaching maximum speed.
Buzz!
Flames exploded.
White Plague had already slipped into subspace, swinging his staff in a calculated move that unleashed ten gold-eating cones at immense speed.
Guan Xin's eyes widened in surprise. Everything unfolded too rapidly; before he could react, the cones collided with his shield.
Ka!
The solidified shield began to crack.
A faint blue flame ignited, vaporizing the gold-eating bugs nearby, but the force of impact left Guan Xin gasping, his body momentarily paralyzed.
The overwhelming air pressure and metallic rhythm sent shivers down his spine.
In his perception, a massive mechanical cone loomed overhead.
Gravity's acceleration, conical impact propulsion, and a mechanical body housing over 300,000 magnets—a figure shrouded in this mechanical armor.
The momentary stiffness cost him the chance to evade.
Guan Xin's focus sharpened on Bai Yi, who brandished a dagger amidst the magnetic mechanical body; solemnity and fighting spirit flickered in his eyes.
This was a formidable adversary.
He gripped his staff tightly, the golden sun disc atop and the blazing heart within radiating flames.
Purple flames danced wildly, the oppressive heat vaporizing the ground, compressing it into molten form.
A thick column of purple flame erupted, colliding with the Wanci mechanical cone and the White Plague at its center.
Confidence surged within Guan Xin—this impact would surely secure his victory!
Buzz!
The Wanci mechanical body melted upon contact, just as he anticipated. The flames consumed the hated White Plague.
But as the magnetic armor shielding the White Plague dissipated, he also vaporized.
A flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Dead? That shouldn't be possible.
"It's over."
A low whisper resonated behind him, and an acute sense of crisis enveloped him. How could this happen?
(End of this chapter)