Two days before the opening of the Global Martial Arts Conference, major global betting companies, led by Crown Company, released the odds for the martial arts combat competition.
The odds for the Genius Group martial arts combat competition caused a sensation worldwide upon their release.
Someone immediately posted the odds for the Genius Group martial arts combat competition to the Shenwang forum.
Longguo Jiang Wuming: 3.0
Nether Hall Holy Son Qi Tian, Holy Maiden Caroline: 4.0
England's Zorro: 4.5
City of Sin Gade: 5.0
Ninja Country Miyamoto Tatsu: 6.0
North American Alliance Rice: 7.0
…
"Why are Jiang Wuming's odds so high?"
After the odds for the Genius Group martial arts combat competition were released, the Shenwang forum erupted in heated discussion. This was the hottest post and the question on most people's minds.
In the opinion of many, Jiang Wuming was a one-star War God at the tenth stage, a creator of martial arts legends, and possibly the rumored殿主 (Hall Master) of the Battle Dragon Hall. In terms of combat strength, he was undoubtedly the strongest among the younger generation of the global martial arts world!
"Brothers, the betting companies are giving out benefits. Don't miss this chance. Close your eyes and bet it all on Jiang Wuming!"
"Don't be a coward, just do it. Bet your entire fortune, and if you win, you'll have young models at the club!"
Some radical individuals, without thinking much, were convinced that Jiang Wuming would definitely win the championship. They wanted to bet recklessly and encouraged others to do the same.
The more supporters and followers they gained, the more confident and assured they felt.
This was the psychology of gamblers and human nature!
Of course, apart from the fervent gamblers, there were also those who analyzed the situation with a "calm" demeanor.
"In terms of combat strength alone, Jiang Wuming is the undisputed top among the younger generation of the global martial arts world.
If it were a ring battle according to the old competition rules, Jiang Wuming would have almost certainly secured the championship.
However, the betting companies have set such high odds mainly because the competition rules have changed.
If you carefully study the new rules for the Genius Martial Arts Combat Competition, you'll realize that it's not necessarily the strongest who wins, but rather it's based on the number of criminals killed, or their efficiency.
Jiang Wuming is very strong, but the Nether Hall Holy Son Qi Tian and Holy Maiden Caroline, Gade of the City of Sin, and England's genius Zorro, are not necessarily much weaker than him!
In such a scenario, who can guarantee that their efficiency in killing criminals is worse than Jiang Wuming's?
In addition, there is a very crucial point.
According to the competition rules, contestants can form teams to kill criminals, and the person who achieves the final kill gets the points.
What does this imply?
The Nether Hall Holy Son and Holy Maiden can join forces, and contestants from other countries and alliances can also team up to fully support the strongest among them to win the championship!
This is also why Zorro of England's odds are third!
As for Longguo, Gu Tianlong definitely won't support Jiang Wuming, and it's hard to say about Ye Feng and Ye Kunlun. Yuan He's strength is weak, so whether he supports or not won't make much of a difference.
Of course, no matter what, Jiang Wuming is still the biggest favorite to win, but it's not a guaranteed victory as some people claim.
Therefore, I advise everyone not to be impulsive. Betting involves risk."
This was the analysis that received the most support among all the "calm" observers. His analysis was objective, practical, and comprehensive.
…
Just as the global martial arts world and the upper echelons were shaken by the odds set by the betting companies, the intelligence chief and the law enforcement chief, Zhujian, of Longguo's Martial Department arrived at Qi Wufu's office.
"Marshal!"
Zhujian and the intelligence chief greeted Qi Wufu simultaneously.
Although Zhujian was Qi Wufu's direct disciple, he addressed Qi Wufu by his military title when outsiders were present.
"You are here because of the martial arts combat competition for the Genius Group of the Global Martial Arts Conference, aren't you?"
Qi Wufu was not surprised to see them and directly discerned their purpose.
"Yes, Marshal."
Zhujian and the intelligence chief nodded in unison. The intelligence chief then glanced at Zhujian, and seeing his signal, began to report:
"Marshal, according to information from our intelligence personnel in Ou Lun, all major global betting companies had initially set Jiang Wuming's odds of winning at 2.0, with a betting limit of one hundred billion.
However, the owner of the world's largest betting company suddenly left the company yesterday afternoon. Upon returning, he decided to change Jiang Wuming's odds of winning and removed the betting limit. All other betting companies raised no objections.
We believe that something is amiss when things are out of the ordinary!
And given Jiang Wuming's current popularity, such high odds will certainly attract wealthy individuals from all sectors of Longguo to bet heavily.
In such a situation, if Jiang Wuming fails to win, the loss of wealth for Longguo will be immeasurable!"
"I understand."
Qi Wufu nodded calmly.
This outcome surprised the Martial Department's intelligence chief, and even Zhujian seemed somewhat puzzled.
"Increase your investigation into the Genius Group martial arts combat competition, including information on all contestants, criminals, and the competition venue. All intelligence must be precise and detailed!"
Qi Wufu pondered for a moment and issued an instruction, "You may leave now. Zhujian, stay behind."
"Yes, Marshal!"
The Martial Department's intelligence chief accepted the order and left.
"Master, this matter is indeed strange,"
After the Martial Department's intelligence chief left, Zhujian couldn't help but speak, changing his address to Qi Wufu.
"Tell me."
Qi Wufu signaled for Zhujian to continue.
"The organizing committee of the grand competition has made one of the highest secret martial arts texts of the Battle Dragon Hall, a mental domain cultivation technique, the prize for the champion of the Genius Group martial arts combat competition. Then, they changed the competition rules, and finally, the betting companies opened unusual odds…
This series of events is linked, as if pre-planned, with Jiang Wuming as the target!"
Zhujian stated his analysis and judgment.
"That's right, it's aimed at Wuming!"
Qi Wufu nodded.
If even Zhujian realized something was wrong, what about Qi Wufu?
"Master, if that's the case, should we inform Jiang Wuming? If the situation is dire, we could ask him to withdraw from the competition," Zhujian suggested.
"No need."
Qi Wufu refused outright.
"Why?"
Zhujian was confused. In his opinion, this matter involved many aspects, not only Jiang Wuming's life but also the honor of Longguo's martial arts world and the potential loss of wealth for Longguo.
"I trust Wuming, and I also trust my old friend."
Qi Wufu smiled faintly, his expression unfathomable.
Zhujian was bewildered. He hesitated for a moment and did not press for further details.
…
Longhu Mountain.
Second Senior Brother Zhu Yong, with his plump physique, panted as he arrived at the mountaintop.
As usual, Daoist Tianlong sat cross-legged on the edge of the cliff, facing the ten-thousand-foot precipice, practicing breathing exercises.
"Master!"
Zhu Yong stopped and bowed to Daoist Tianlong.
"What is it?"
Daoist Tianlong did not get up, nor did he turn around, or even open his eyes.
"Master…"
Zhu Yong straightened up, looked at Daoist Tianlong's back, and reported some information about the Global Martial Arts Conference to Daoist Tianlong, primarily concerning Jiang Wuming.
However—
After Zhu Yong finished his report, Daoist Tianlong gave no instructions.
"Master, I believe this is a conspiracy against Junior Brother. Junior Brother's personal safety is at great risk. Should you not go there?"
Zhu Yong asked.
He knew how much his Master valued and cared for Jiang Wuming.
Back then, when Jiang Wuming first started his missions, his Master had always protected him from the shadows.
"No need."
Daoist Tianlong opened his eyes and gazed at the cloud-shrouded mountain peaks and the ten-thousand-foot precipice in front of him, saying lightly, "This Global Martial Arts Conference is an internal conflict of the Battle Dragon Hall, and it is not appropriate for me to participate.
As for your Junior Brother, he is merely the fuse for this war. He might be in mortal danger, but this is a trial he must go through!"
"But, Master, what if something happens to Junior Brother?"
Zhu Yong was still worried. He knew very well that his Master, with the world as a chessboard and people as pieces, had orchestrated an astonishing game.
And Junior Brother Jiang Wuming was the most crucial piece!
"No regrets once the move is made."
Daoist Tianlong spoke slowly, his expression firm and resolute!
…