CHAPTER 859 A BET
"Darren." Scott called out his name. His pleasure was evident on his face.
Darren could not help but reflect back that same joy upon seeing Scott again. It had been decades of
years since they last saw each other. "Long time no see, Scott."
Although they were both pleased to see one another again, now was not a good time for small talks.
Their brief greeting had to suffice as they faced all the elders in the hall.
Chandler gazed at Darren's face for some time. His eyes were gleaming with appreciation.
"So you're Darren that everyone's talking about?"
"Yes, sir." Darren confirmed.
"I've always wondered how come you've become a rival of those senior holy warriors if you're still at a Belongs © to .
lower level? Is it because of your bold and impulsive personality? Or is it really because you are
capable enough? Let me see what kind of strength you possess." From the other side of the hall, the
senior holy warrior Leighton watched Darren intently. He released a steady stream of spiritual sense to
probe over Darren.
Suddenly, he cried out, full of wonder. "What the hell? What a weird and uncanny aura this fellow has! I
can't even get through it and check his cultivation base."
Noting Leighton's futile attempt to get through Darren's aura, the other senior holy warriors joined in as
well. Together, they released their respective spiritual senses.
Among them was Chilton. In his case, he also used a strong suppressing force in the hope of breaking
through Darren's aura.
But Darren only snorted at Chilton's efforts. His intimidation tactic wasn't working on him. With that, he
let out his own powerful spiritual sense and dashed towards Chilton. It all happened so fast that Chilton
could not help but draw back by the force.
The entire area fell in a shocked silence. Nobody moved or spoke. Darren's strength was unexpected
and had caught everyone off guard.
Horror and rage devoured Chilton. His face twisted in rage and fire flared in his eyes. He was supposed
to humiliate Darren in front of all these people, but his plans had backfired.
It took a moment for him to calm down. "You little rogue, it seems like you've been training hard
recently. Do you remember what we agreed on? Since you didn't die outside, we should fulfill our
agreement and have a fair fight now. What do you think?"
Despite Darren's sudden display of powerful spiritual sense, Chilton still believed that he was more
powerful than the younger man in martial arts skills.
Darren only shook his head. "As much as I want to end this right now, I'm afraid I have to refuse. I'm
not foolish enough to set aside the crisis we're currently facing."
But Chilton would not stand for this. "Are you backing out on our bet, you little rascal? You piece of
trash truly belong to that trashy Sacred Palace."
"When did I say that I wanted to back out? You old bastard!" thundered Darren. Chilton's words had hit
its target and Darren felt insulted by it. Before long, Darren had his hand on his sword, a hair's length
away from pouncing on Chilton.
"Get a hold on yourself! How dare you speak to the master like that? You insolent fool!" The senior holy
warrior beside Chilton barked at Darren.
Undaunted, Darren sneered. "You have no idea what you're talking about. That old bastard tried to kill
me because I refused to fawn over him the other day. Scums like him do not deserve respect. It's a
shame that the human race calls him master. He is disgraceful and discourteous."
Darren's words left everyone aghast and stunned.
"Such an arrogant fellow! If you're not afraid of being defeated, then why are you refusing to fight?"
Townsend challenged. Darren's attitude irked him, but he didn't want to openly reveal his annoyance.
Such display was unsuitable for someone like him who held the highest position in the clan. He knew
that if he tried getting involved, things would only get more complicated than it already was. With this,
he had to reign in his anger.
"I'm not running away from the fight. I just think it's not the right time and place for it. But if you really
want a life-and-death fight, then I suggest you throw in your bets. After all, this is a battle to the death.
We go all out or nothing at all," Darren suggested.
Everyone was impressed by Darren's proposal as well as his confidence. For a fleeting moment,
Townsend's voice wavered. He did not expect Darren to make such a dangerous suggestion.
"A bet? Then, tell me how you would like it to proceed," he said mockingly. Chilton, on the other hand,
was interested in Darren's proposal. His face showed his anticipation.
To him, Darren was making a foolish mistake. It was obvious that he would emerge the winner in their
fight anyway. The bigger the bet, the better for him then.
After thinking for a while, Darren finally placed his bet. "You three clans have always been unconvinced
by the Sacred Palace's leadership. So here's my bet. If I kill Chilton, you will not come after me, and
also, you shall submit your Cross Expeditionary Force under the Sacred Palace's command. That
includes all of you as well. What do you think?"
"How dare you?" Chandler uttered in an authoritative voice.
He had his reason to scold Darren. His proposal was too much. What if he lost? Of course, Townsend
and Chilton would also demand that the Sacred Palace submit to them. The future of the whole palace
was now in Darren's hands.
Townsend noticed Chandler's anxiety and shot him a disdainful glare. "Are you afraid, Chandler?"
Suddenly, Gabriel broke in. "Do you think the people of the Sacred Palace are idiots? Do you think it's
fair to place such stakes in a fight between a senior holy warrior, who has practiced the martial arts for
thousands of years, and a boy, who hasn't even reached that stage yet?"
Of course, all the senior holy warriors of the three clans were not expecting anyone from the Sacred
Palace to agree to such terms because they, too, were hesitant to accept them. Even if Chilton would
win the fight, the bet was still too much. But they didn't voice out their doubts for they were waiting for
the Sacred Palace to refuse.
"Well then, if you disagree with the terms, we won't force you. After all, it is your man who made the
proposal. Let's keep it simple. We'll let Darren and Chilton fight. And when it's done, then it's over."
Townsend's lips curled into a contemptuous smile. Without waiting for Chandler's response, he turned
to Chilton. "Go fight with Darren, but don't use all of your strength. I think eighty percent shall do.
Otherwise, others will think we're being unfair. Got it?"
Chilton nodded his head, but his eyes remained on Darren. "Yes, sir."
"They are indeed a flock of blood sucking crows!" "And as disgusting as sewer rats!" Hanson and
Mathew, who had been watching quietly all this time, could not help but curse in a low voice. They
knew that Darren was still no match to Chilton even if the latter used only eighty percent of his skills.
Their battle would be like a confrontation between an adult human being and an ant. It was only a
matter of how the man would like to end the ant's life. This was only an excuse for murder.
"Darren, I think it's unwise to go through with this. After all, they won't force you to fight Chilton, not
while the others are present." It was Lord Donald who voiced out his anxiety through his spiritual
sense. He had been silently paying close attention to the discussion all this time.
"My Lord, you don't need to worry about me. I'm confident that I can defeat him," Darren reassured.
"But what if something bad happens to you? Auberon's death was already too much for me to handle. I
can't lose you, too," Lord Donald pleaded.
"Don't worry, sir. I wouldn't have proposed the bet if I had any doubts on the result. Both the Sacred
Palace and I will be safe and sound in the end." Darren gave him a confident smile.
"Boy, will you accept the challenge or not? If you think it is too hard for you, you can just give up now. I
promise I won't lay a hand on you, but in return, you have to kneel before me and kowtow to me a
hundred times." Chilton squinted at Darren, leaning towards a bit.
Darren only laughed at Chilton's proposition. The impulse to cut him into pieces flashed through
Darren's mind, but he drowned it out with laughter. "Don't try pissing me off just yet. It's too early for
you to be smug about a victory that doesn't exist. But anyway, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. It's a
pity, though, because I'm not as merciful as you are. Even if you kneel before me and kowtow a
hundred times, I won't let you go." This time, Darren was serious.
Chilton gritted his teeth and barked, "Fine! Everyone has heard what this boy said. Who would tolerate
such offensive rogue? No one! I won't let him stand there and continue flinging mud at everyone's
faces."
"Stop talking nonsense! If you have guts, come after me!"
Darren roared before flying out.
Boom!
The earth cracked and a battle platform in the likeness of a lotus rose from the ground in front of the
Sacred Palace.
This platform was one of the most precious treasures of Chandler's clan. It was sturdy enough to
withstand battles between holy emperors. It could definitely survive the battle between Chilton and
Darren and prevent the damage from spreading further out the regions.
Wind whistled around them, sending Darren's robe rustling in the air. He stood tall and erect as if he
could dominate the entire world.
Chilton followed behind him. His entire body was prepared to fight.
To his surprise, Darren raised a hand in placation. "Hold on!"
"Are you kidding me, boy? Don't tell me that you have at last come to your senses. I won't let you back
out anymore. Speak quickly while you still got the chance!" Chilton said, scornfully.
Darren simply glared at him but he didn't bother responding to his taunts. He turned to the crowd and
said loudly, "Everyone, do we agree on the bet I have proposed?"
At that, Leighton could not stop himself from bellowing, "Darren! You dare mention that bet again!" With
Darren's current level, it was no doubt he would die in this battle. Leighton may not care about Darren
very much, but he didn't want the Sacred Palace to submit to the three major clans. Fear gripped him
at the very thought of that happening.
"Bravery is one thing, but foolishness is another. His recklessness has overshadowed his rational
judgment. A person like him can never escape the doom of death, no matter how talented he might
be." The senior holy warrior Gabriel could only sigh in pity for Darren. It was obvious to him that Darren
would not survive this battle.