22

Tea houses are often the initial source of gossip.

A man with the air of a scholar, tinged with a hint of poverty, was surrounded by a group of people. Some were pouring tea, while others were placing fruit trays in front of him.

The impoverished gentleman held his head high, his face full of pride. This treatment was something he had never imagined in all his years.

At this moment, he felt like he had truly risen.

The crowd eagerly awaited as the gentleman prepared to talk about the challenge letters regarding the martial arts schools.

"I personally wrote the challenge letters, two in total. One is for the Changyuan Martial Arts School, and the other is for the Lingshe Martial Arts School. The Lin family's martial arts school is going to challenge these two."

Upon hearing this, the crowd was astonished.

"He's challenging two martial arts schools on the same day?"

"Leon Wei truly lives up to his reputation. This is quite audacious."

"I understand now. These two schools took turns challenging the Lin family's martial arts school in the past. Now, the tables have turned, and Leon Wei is seeking revenge."

"Do you think the Loulan Pavilion will open for betting?"

"I haven't heard any news about it yet."

"If it does open, who do you think will win in the end? Although Leon Wei is formidable, both Master Yuan and Master Liu are equally skilled. They are both seasoned veterans."

The crowd discussed animatedly, while the gentleman hoped for more special treatment. However, when the crowd learned the specific gossip, they simply pushed him aside. After all, there was no value in facing the gossip once the details were known.

...

Loulan Pavilion.

When Luna Ming learned that Leon Wei intended to challenge two martial arts schools in a single day, she was equally astonished.

Her maid, Yulan, said, "Sister, has he lost his mind? How could he think of challenging two martial arts schools in one day? Isn't he afraid of causing trouble?"

Luna Ming replied, "I don't think he would do something without being confident about it."

Yulan couldn't understand. She had never encountered such a situation in Ankang County. Normally, when someone challenges a martial arts school, they send a challenge letter and agree on a time, often with several days in between, to allow everyone to prepare.

The Changyuan and Lingshe Martial Arts Schools were affiliated with the other two of the "Lower Three Gates" and their masters were not weak.

"Sister, should we open for betting?" Yulan asked.

"Who is the first match against?"

"It's the Changyuan Martial Arts School."

Luna Ming pondered and said, "Changyuan's Master Yuan Feng practices the Ape Monkey Long Arm Fist. With his naturally long arms, the explosive force he generates with a swing or a slap is extremely powerful. He also has achieved the Skin and Flesh Realm."

"Open for betting, with the odds in favor of Master Yuan."

Luna Ming chose to believe that Leon Wei could defeat Yuan Feng. Of course, she also intended to make some money from this. Betting was a gamble, and she couldn't afford to lose.

"Sister, do you really believe that Leon Wei can win?" Yulan didn't like her sister's romanticized thinking. Challenging a martial arts school was one thing, but personal feelings were another. They must not act impulsively.

Luna Ming said, "His confidence indicates that he has mastered the Wave Tide Finger to a certain extent. If he's confident in breaking through his opponent's defenses, it should be considered a decisive move. However, his behavior is somewhat impulsive. What's truly important is the upcoming Three Schools Martial Arts Competition. The Wave Tide Finger should be treated as a finishing move."

"Sister, what about the match against the Lingshe Martial Arts School?" Yulan asked.

"We won't open for betting. If he loses the first match, there's no need for the second. But if he wins the first, I believe he can win the second, and others will think the same. So, we won't engage in losing deals."

"Understood."

Yulan hurried off to prepare for betting, but she still doubted whether Leon Wei could really win.

This matter was a big deal in Ankang County and spread quickly.

All six gates were aware of it.

The Joli and Panshi Martial Arts Schools didn't show much reaction. Although these two schools were affiliated with them, challenging other martial arts schools in Ankang County was quite normal.

When Baicang Hai and Pang Haichao learned of this, their expressions were different.

They hadn't expected Leon Wei to focus on challenging other martial arts schools rather than preparing for the upcoming Three Schools Martial Arts Competition. They wondered what he was thinking.

Nevertheless, they decided they would definitely attend the challenge day.

If Leon Wei lost, they needn't worry about him in the future. Even if he won, they could observe his techniques and prepare accordingly for the Three Schools Martial Arts Competition.

At that moment, with the opening of Loulan Pavilion, people flooded in. When they saw the odds, they were slightly surprised.

"Loulan Pavilion is favoring the Changyuan Martial Arts School with such low odds."

"Who should we choose? Who will win in the end?"

"I'm betting on Master Yuan. Regardless, Master Yuan is a seasoned expert. My cousin's son has been training at the Changyuan Martial Arts School. He said that Master Yuan's Ape Monkey Long Arm Fist is fierce and domineering. He can shatter a rock with a single slap. What more is there to consider?"

"Good, I trust you. I'm going all in with twenty taels."

"Sir, you're right. I've heard that Leon Wei is only at the Blood and Qi Realm, while Master Yuan is at the Skin and Flesh Realm. One high, one low. It's clear who's stronger."

"Hmm, strange. Why isn't there a bet for the Lingshe Martial Arts School?"

"What's so strange about it? Loulan Pavilion favors Master Yuan. If he loses the first match, there's no need for the second. It's just a waste of time."

"Well, that makes sense."

Although Leon Wei had defeated Ma Sandao in the past, causing many people to lose miserably, Ma Sandao couldn't compare to the affiliated martial arts schools. As for Xiang Shuang, few people knew about him, and even if they did, it didn't matter. After all, Xiang Shuang was only at the Blood and Qi Realm.

...

At the martial arts school.

"Hey, my good brother, what are you doing?" Zhang Shan rushed over as soon as he heard about the challenge. He was still immersed in the joy of taking the elixir. Who would have thought that he would hear that Leon Wei had sent challenge letters to two affiliated martial arts schools of the Lin family?

Upon hearing this, he was completely stunned.

He exclaimed, "Terrifying."

"Brother, I'm so poor, so poor." Leon Wei spread his hands, looking helpless.

Zhang Shan was dumbfounded. He had considered many possibilities, but never this.

Poor?

"Brother, if you're short on money, just tell me. I have some." Zhang Shan held Leon Wei in high regard. Over the years, he had lived and eaten at the martial arts school, saving a considerable sum. If Leon Wei said he was short on money, he would lend him as much as he needed without a second thought.

Leon Wei smiled and said, "It's okay, Zhang. I know what I'm doing. To be honest, these two schools have challenged me before. I'm just reclaiming my reputation. You've known me for a while now. Have you ever seen me do something without being sure about it?"

Zhang Shan looked at Leon Wei in astonishment and suddenly realized that something was off about him.

He carefully examined him from head to toe.

Suddenly, it seemed like he had discovered something extraordinary.

"You... have you reached the second realm?"

Leon Wei smiled and nodded silently.

"What?" Zhang Shan was speechless, finding it hard to believe.

How could this happen so quickly?

Leon Wei lightly patted Zhang Shan's back. "Let me remind you, the opportunity to make a fortune is right in front of you. I already know that Loulan Pavilion is open for betting. Bet on me to win. You won't go wrong."

Then he thought of something.

What if Douhua Lv bet on him to win, made a fortune, and then disappeared again?

That wouldn't do.

Douhua Lv, who had no money, was his regular NPC, showing up like clockwork every day.

"I know about that. I bought it on my way to find you," Zhang Shan said.

"... "