Besides the battle ring matches, Abigail’s gambling business was thriving. She had set up two temporary betting rings to attract more patrons.
One accepted cash, and the other VIP betting ring only accepted rare treasures and valuables. These betting rings catered to different gamblers and ensured everyone’s preferences were accommodated.
The spectators became Abigail’s prime targets. Her strategy remained unchanged. First, lures the gamblers with small wins. When they grew complacent, Abigail would reclaim everything in one decisive move. Her tactic proved to be effective.
Over the past few days, she had amassed a fortune and emerged as the biggest winner.
Although some savvy individuals knew her schemes, they refrained from exposing her due to her stature. So, they simply turned a blind eye.
Gamblers would still cling to their hopes even if her schemes were revealed. When they saw others hit the jackpot, this only fueled their urge to try their luck. They were convinced that they could also be among the lucky ones.
The matches were already in progress when Dustin and the others arrived at the arena. The Celestial Alliance’s senior members had reserved seats with great views and refreshments highlighting their status.
“Hello, Sir Hudson, Ms. Alicia and Ms. Aurora.”
Fenley’s arrival with his companions caused quite a stir. Everyone from the Celestial Alliance, from senior to ordinary members, respectfully greeted them.
At that moment, Dustin spotted Quincy.
Quincy was momentarily surprised upon seeing him. However, he quickly regained his composure when he noticed Dustin chatting with Fenley and the others.
“It’s so lively here. All the major guilds are present. I wonder who will emerge as the champion.” Alicia looked around excitedly.
As the guildmaster’s daughter, she had always been sheltered and seldom ventured outside. So, sneaking out to register for the Combat Tournament had been a rare act of defiance.
However, her excitement was short- lived as she fell victim to voodoo and slipped into a coma before the tournament even began.
“As long as Fenley makes his move, the championship will be ours,” Aurora declared confidently.
Fenley was revered as the most exceptional figure in the Celestial Alliance over the past century, and all the disciples respected him.
His prestige within the guild was second only to Alloy. In Aurora’s recollection, Fenley had never been defeated. So, she felt the so-called geniuses of the martial world were insignificant compared to him.
“Aurora, don’t get too ahead of yourself.” Fenley shook his head and smiled.
He added, “This Combat Tournament at Sacred Wrym Summit has really shaken up the martial world. All the major guilds and top talents are here.
It’s set to be a fierce competition where anyone could come out on top.”
While confident in his own abilities, Fenley wasn’t naive. After all, he was only ranked fifth on the Legendary List.
He acknowledged several formidable opponents were ahead of him on the list, especially Logan and Glenn, who were tied for first place. They had even reached the Champ-Tier List and were among the top ten strongest in the world.
Fenley didn’t have much confidence facing those two. However, he wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge either. His seclusion training had significantly boosted his cultivation. He believed he could hold his ground if he were to face Logan and Glenn.
“Fenley, you’re so amazing. With your skills, who could possibly compete against you?” Aurora remained confidently supportive.
In her eyes, he was just being modest. She believed that he could easily outshine all other geniuses once he unleashed the Four Elements of God’s Technique.
“There’s always someone better, no matter how good you are. We can’t afford to be complacent,” Fenley cautioned himself while imparting wisdom to Aurora.
Fenley reflected on his intense battle with Logan. Despite unleashing the full force of the Four Elements of God’s Technique, he gained no advantage.
Then, he realized he wasn’t the unrivaled hero he had thought himself to be. There were talents out there who could match or even surpass him.
However, this realization only intensified his resolve. What had once seemed isolating now motivated him to strive for excellence.
The pressure he felt spurred him on in his training. In hindsight, he saw it as a blessing in disguise.
Alicia glanced around and suddenly spotted something intriguing. She pointed and exclaimed excitedly, ” Faith, Aurora, check that out! It looks pretty lively over there!”
Following her gesture, they all turned to see two outdoor betting rings set up in the western direction. The betting rings were surrounded by crowds of people whose voices created a bustling and energetic atmosphere.
“Wow, I never expected there would be betting rings here,” Aurora exclaimed in surprise.
“Betting rings?” Alicia’s eyes lit up with interest. “Let’s go take a look!”
Without hesitation, Alicia grabbed Grace and Aurora and hurried over.
