Chapter 234: The Gem

In the center of the gymnasium, Cadio Rhodes had already stood up. However, he did not intend to return to the ring for the time being; instead, he and his coach were appealing to several referees, claiming that Li Mochen was suspected of foul play.

Their pressure had an effect. The referee panel had to extract videotapes from several recording devices on the sidelines for a comprehensive review. Then the entire gymnasium fell into silence once again.

One of the better-angle videos was replayed on the big screen. After slowing down the frame rate, Li Mochen's sidestep, approach, hand raise, and upward parry—every movement was broken down and clearly displayed before everyone's eyes.

About a minute later, the female spectators in the stands erupted in another deafening wave of sound.

“That’s so cool!”

At the window railing of Box 3, Alec Brood of Penguin Betting Company also couldn’t help but exclaim: “Simple, clean, without a trace of excess, fully showcasing his combat skills. The key is that it’s extremely stylish. This move, this shot, is worth at least five hundred million gold shields! After this battle, who knows how many women across the country will become his fans.”

He knew that the television stations broadcasting this match alone covered seven hundred million viewers across all of America.

Dwight Payton’s face also showed an undisguised smile: “In fact, his ability to drive sales has now surpassed Felton Williams.”

“Williams is your company’s top high school star, but in terms of commercial value, Andre undoubtedly has more potential. I heard that at the latest board meeting, one director has already sided with you, right?”

Alec Brood took out his cigar and laughed heartily: “But Dwight, I don’t think Cressy Jax’s methods are limited to this. After all, that’s the Dragon Witch Cult.”

“Maybe, but I’m not worried.” Dwight Payton’s tone was calm: “I believe in Andre’s ability. Your betting company has also made an assessment, right?”

“Exactly!” Alec’s thick eyebrows lifted slightly: “If he really is already a seventh-level magic energy swordsman, then no matter what preparations Cressy Jax has made, his winning rate is less than fifty percent.”

Dwight Payton couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise: “Wow, it seems your assessors are even more aggressive than our Nathan Group’s sports lab.”

Just then, Cadio Rhodes returned to the ring amidst a chorus of jeers. Naturally, his appeal had no result; Li Mochen’s actions were not in violation of any rules. Although this was a cold weapon combat match, there was no rule against using unarmed techniques.

When the two stood facing each other again, ten meters apart, Cadio Rhodes’ eyes were already filled with anger and contempt.

“I know you cheated! You bribed these referees, didn’t you? You thief, you crook!”

Li Mochen’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he let out a laugh. He had indeed cheated, but it was to steal something from inside Cadio Rhodes—the ‘Small Universe Hand’ from the Primordial Vault could traverse space and retrieve objects from a distance. Even if he took out someone’s internal organs, the person would hardly notice for a while. However, limited to this match, he had not made any superfluous moves.

Besides, did this guy have the right to call others thieves? This really left him speechless.

“Both sides, ready!”

The head referee on the stage raised the black flag in his left hand again.

“Begin!”

Cadio Rhodes showed no change at all. His body swelled, and his eyes blazed with crimson flames. His movements were exactly the same as before—still the same ‘Wild Charge,’ his massive two-meter-four frame charging like a bull.

Li Mochen shook his head slightly. This time, he still did not draw his sword. With the same moves as before, he stepped forward instead of retreating, sidestepping and advancing!

But at that moment, Cadio Rhodes suddenly roared: “The same trick won’t work on me! Blood Frenzy Spiral!”

In an instant, Cadio Rhodes’ figure began to spin rapidly from left to right, his two Viking axes creating a dense blur of axe shadows!

Moreover, sharp streams of qi condensed on the axe blades, nearly forming axe aura, reaching the level of external energy release!

Li Mochen’s lips curled slightly. Then he dropped his shoulders sharply, his figure agile as a leopard, dodging the consecutive axe strikes with astonishing prediction and exquisite precision. Next, he slapped Cadio Rhodes’ right arm hard, like whipping a top, causing the seventh-level berserker’s spin speed to skyrocket. Following that, Li Mochen forcefully lifted Cadio’s waist, making the ‘top’ lift off the ground like a helicopter, spinning uncontrollably in midair.

Only after three seconds, when Cadio Rhodes’ spin speed decreased, did he fall from a height of ten meters, hitting the ground with another ‘boom.’ Amidst flying gravel, his entire body, along with the pair of Viking axes, smashed a huge crater into the floor. Fortunately, the armor was sturdy enough; Cadio Rhodes finally stood up from the pit unscathed, but his axes had slipped from his hands, and he was in a dazed state, staggering and trembling as if drunk, clearly suffering from a concussion and temporarily unable to control his body.

“Out of the ring, five points!”

When the referee waved the red flag in his right hand again, the audience on all sides stirred once more.

But this time, what echoed in the gymnasium were bursts of laughter. Many faces showed mockery. However, even more people turned pale, having a bad premonition.

In Box 9, Abraham Archibald felt his heart tighten.

“This fool! He still wants to rely on his own strength to defeat that guy, doesn’t he? Absolutely idiotic!”

Cressy Jax’s expression also turned serious: “Relax, this is his last chance. I believe his coach will tell him the consequences of losing this fight.”

“I hope so!”

Abraham struggled to calm his emotions: “But what if, even after using ‘Ancient Recall,’ he still can’t beat that guy? You need to tell me, what kind of backup plan do you have?”

“It’s a Gem of Fate!”

Cressy Jax finally began to explain: “Legend has it that it’s a fragment of the divine essence left behind after the death of the Fate Goddess Clotho. We’ve already had someone activate its power, enough to make Cadio incredibly lucky and defeat his opponent in a ‘fated’ way. Isn’t that guy called ‘Lucky Andre’? Said to have extraordinary luck. This time, we’re playing on the word ‘luck.’ No matter how strong this Andre classmate is, today he will definitely fall at Cadio’s hands.”

“Gem of Fate?”

Abraham was startled, then his expression relaxed.

“You’ve invested quite a bit.”

“Of course. The Dragon Witch Cult never lets its enemies sleep easy, nor does it disappoint its friends.”

Chairman Jax chuckled: “Look, he’s already activated ‘Ancient Recall.’ It seems that Lucky Andre has finally made our Cadio classmate face reality.”