Chen Yao nodded and began to speak, "Long Chen, the only one who can save you is—"
"There’s no need," Long Chen interrupted, waving his hand. "I accepted their challenge, so of course I’m not afraid." He looked at Tuoba Jiao coldly. "As for your help, I don’t need it."
Tuoba Jiao was immediately annoyed.
"Hey! I’m trying to give you a way out, and you’re throwing it back in my face! The only reason I’m willing to step in is for Sister Yao’s sake. Since you’re so ungrateful, you can just wait to die!"
"Who said I’m guaranteed to lose?" Long Chen asked lightly.
"You’re not going to lose? Don’t tell me you can actually win?" Tuoba Jiao scoffed.
"Of course."
Tuoba Jiao burst out laughing. "You? You’re about to die, yet you’re still running your mouth. How interesting."
Chen Yao’s brows furrowed in worry for Long Chen.
"You don’t believe me?" Long Chen crossed his arms.
"Of course not!" Tuoba Jiao rolled her eyes at him.
"In that case, let’s make a bet," Long Chen said confidently.
"What’s there to bet with a dead man walking?" Tuoba Jiao asked, her face full of contempt.
"Or are you scared?" Long Chen deliberately provoked her.
"What a joke!" Tuoba Jiao scoffed. "If you want to bet, I’ll play along. So, what’s the wager?"
Long Chen smiled playfully. "If I lose, I die, and you can vent your anger. But if I win, you have to give me a foot massage!"
A foot massage?
Tuoba Jiao’s anger flared for a moment, but she quickly composed herself and readily agreed, "Fine, I accept! Without my help, Long Chen, you might as well obediently wait for death. In fact, seeing as you’re a dead man walking, I’ll be generous and gift you the Green Flame Sword you stole from me."
"The match hasn’t even started, and the outcome isn’t decided. Isn’t it a bit early to be saying all this?" Long Chen smiled confidently. "Just be ready to give me that foot massage."
Seeing Long Chen so self-assured, both Chen Yao and Tuoba Jiao were baffled.
It seems he’s really confident about tomorrow’s life-and-death battle.
But they had no idea where this confidence came from.
Tuoba Jiao shook her head and snorted. That guy’s a dead man; there’s no way he can pull off a surprise! He wants me to give him a foot massage? He can ask for that in his next life!
Back in the West Wing, Long Chen sat cross-legged. With the life-and-death challenge set for tomorrow, he needed to continue his preparations. The more prepared he was, the better his chances of winning. Calming his mind, he resumed cultivating the Coiling Dragon Seal, striving to break through to the Fourth Layer before the battle began.
「Meanwhile, at the Earth Institute.」
News of the life-and-death battle between Long Chen and the three Earth Institute powerhouses was spreading like wildfire.
"That reckless fool from the Human Institute dared to offend our Senior Sister Su. Tomorrow will be his last day!"
"I heard he secluded himself in the Training Room for nine days. I wonder how strong he is now."
"Forget nine days of seclusion. Even if he trained for nine years, he’d still be no match for our seniors! They are top-ten experts on the Martial Roll. How could a mere ant like him possibly challenge them?"
Listening to the one-sided chatter from the Earth Institute disciples, Gu Hanyue, Zhang Qian’an, and Sun Bi’an stood proudly beside Su Miaoyu.
"Senior Sister Su!"
Upon seeing her, the surrounding Martial Institute disciples bowed and greeted her in unison.
Su Miaoyu nodded slightly, her face brimming with pride. She reveled in the feeling of being held in such high regard.
"The ten-day pact ends tomorrow," she murmured.
"Senior Sister Su, don’t worry. That guy is just an ant. We can crush him with a single finger. A trivial matter like this doesn’t require you to act personally."
Su Miaoyu sneered. "Long Chen, I’m quite looking forward to seeing just how you’ll die tomorrow!"