2: A bet delivered to your door

The Little Yellow Chicken disappeared from the spot and appeared in the Contract Space.

Xu Le clicked open the Little Yellow Chicken's attribute panel.

[contracted beast] Little Yellow Chicken (Can be renamed)

[Race] Nine Heavens Divine Phoenix (SSS-rank)

[Level] 0

[Strength] 10

[Agility] 30

[Constitution] 10

[Spirit] 50

[Equipment] None

[Talent] Flame Spirit

1. A body composed of fire elements, immune to any fire-type spell damage;

2. Attacks will inflict fire burn, dealing Spirit × 1.2 damage per second for 15 seconds.

[Skills]

1. Blazing Shockwave

Consumes 120 Mana. Spits out a blazing fireball, dealing Spirit × 10 damage to enemies it touches.

2. Flame Shield

Consumes 80 Mana. Summons a shield to protect oneself or an ally, blocking Spirit × 8 damage.

3. Meteor Fire Rain

Consumes 300 Mana. Summons a rain of fire, dealing Spirit × 3 damage for 30 seconds.

4. Phoenix Dance of the Nine Heavens

Consumes 600—5400 Mana. Summons up to nine flame clones to attack enemies together. Each clone possesses 50% of the original's base attributes.

5. Phoenix Nirvana

Upon death, it will turn into a Phoenix Egg, and its dual defenses will increase by 10,000% (excluding equipment). It revives with 100% attributes after one minute. Cooldown: 24 hours.

"This is simply too strong!"

"At just Level 0, it has a terrifying 100 total attributes!"

"Whether it's the talent or the five skills, every single one is top-tier."

"Even for those with S-rank Professionals, do they really have such heaven-defying skills and talents?"

"Truly worthy of being a top-tier divine beast!"

Xu Le clenched his fist and burned the novels he had started writing, such as Battle Through the Heavens and Shrouding the Heavens... The next morning at nine o'clock.

Ninth District, Goblin Dungeon in the western suburbs.

As a B-rank Heavy Shield Guard, Li Yang easily found three B-rank teammates: a Lightning Mage, an Assassin, and a Bladesman.

"Brothers, see that? Your last teammate is that unequipped Contractor rushing over."

Huang Desheng had been waiting here since early morning, "kindly" helping Li Yang's recruited teammates understand the situation.

The three saw Xu Le walking over and looked at Li Yang with questioning eyes, meaning for him to explain.

"This..." Li Yang glared at Huang Desheng and began to explain, "My brother is very strong. From childhood to now, I've never seen him fail..."

"Just say if I'm lying or not," Huang Desheng interrupted.

The three understood completely, exchanged glances, and immediately left the team.

B-rank Heavy Shield Guards were hard to find, but weren't C-rank tanks easy to come by?

Li Yang was so angry his teeth itched.

Being cursed at only made Huang Desheng more smug; he felt as happy as if he had eaten honey.

"Li Yang, ignore this kind of petty person. Idiocy is contagious." Seeing this, Xu Le pulled Li Yang to leave.

"Who are you calling an idiot?"

Huang Desheng's nose was almost crooked with rage.

A mere trash Contractor—what right did he have to look down on an A-rank Explosive Fire Mage?

"Do. You. Want. To. Die? Xu Le!"

Huang Desheng spoke one word at a time, his gaze grim. With old and new grudges combined, he looked ready to devour someone in his rage.

"You want to go onto the Life and Death Stage with me?" Xu Le narrowed his eyes, his gaze also filled with killing intent.

"No! Even if you're trash, you can still fill a magical beast's belly, so you're somewhat useful."

"Let's make a bet. Whoever loses kneels and calls the other 'Grandpa'."

"Boring." Xu Le turned to leave. Even elementary schoolers didn't play such games; who would play house with him?

"Are you scared?" Huang Desheng was indignant. Seeing Xu Le still not responding, he suddenly shouted, "One hundred thousand Credits! Whoever loses gives one hundred thousand Credits."

"It's a deal! How do we bet?" Xu Le became interested.

???

Huang Desheng was startled by the burning gaze. He had originally thought of a 1v1, but remembering they were both Level 0, even with his "Bursting Fireball" skill, he might not win for sure.

His eyes darted around as he changed his mind: "Naturally, we'll compare dungeon clearance!"

He believed that as an A-rank Professional, he could find better teammates and equipment, second to none!

"Brother Le, don't be impulsive. This bastard has ulterior motives," Li Yang hurriedly advised.

"Scared? Don't dare?" Huang Desheng's voice became increasingly annoying.

"Fine! I'm just afraid you don't have enough Credits," Xu Le said with a deliberate sneer.

"Heh! I'm afraid you don't have enough. 568,000 Credits, as you wish."

Huang Desheng deliberately shouted loudly so everyone around could hear the bet.

The crowd began to gather.

"This card of mine has 1.2 million Credits. You decide how much to bet."

"Heh, you say it! This is just pocket money for me. I'm just afraid you'll lose your parents' pension and cry that I'm bullying you."

A chill flashed in Xu Le's eyes. "Then let it be 568,000!"

Whoosh!

The onlookers were in an uproar.

"Is Xu Le crazy? How can a mere F-rank PK an A-rank Professional?"

"Is something wrong with my ears, or is something wrong with Xu Le's head? Squandering his parents' pension like this?"

"Hey, I know Xu Le. He never does anything he's not sure of. I think this PK will be interesting."

"Heh, I think there's something wrong with your head too."

...Amidst the discussions, a girl with a face as cold as frost walked swayingly to Xu Le's side and scolded him in a low voice.

"Xu Le, we've already broken up. Don't embarrass me, okay?"

Xu Le looked puzzled. "Who are you?"

Even with Xiang Ying's good upbringing, her face turned pale with anger. "Stop pestering me. How much breakup fee do you want? I'll give it to you."

"Who's pestering you? Since yesterday, we've been strangers. Please leave!"

Xu Le's expression was cold. To hell with love; he only wanted to become stronger now.

Women would only slow down the speed at which he drew his blade!

Xiang Ying looked at Xu Le's calm eyes, and a wave of resentment rose in her heart.

She could accept Xu Le's eyes being full of resentment, or even full of love.

But being as cold as a stranger—by what right?

"Don't regret it! And don't mention my name when you lose, or else..." As Xiang Ying spoke, the aura of an S-rank Professional swept through the area.

The scene instantly fell silent, everyone staring at Xiang Ying with burning eyes.

Huang Desheng's last shred of concern vanished. He contacted the Dawn Mainframe to request notarization.

Whoever cleared a dungeon of higher difficulty first and faster would win the 568,000 Credits.

Xu Le readily signed his name, and the contract was completed.

"Just the two of us. Let's risk it on abyss difficulty. Dare to?" Xu Le looked back at Li Yang.

Li Yang took out the high-priced, custom-ordered rare-grade heavy shield and gritted his teeth. "Fine! But you have to promise me one thing: when I say it's time to go, you must leave with me."

He was afraid Xu Le was being reckless and going to the Abyss dungeon to throw away his life, which he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for.

"Alright!" Xu Le smiled.

It's hard to find such a loyal friend in life.

He snapped his fingers, and the Little Yellow Chicken appeared. Its pale yellow body, smaller than a fist, had two small eyes sparkling with the light of wisdom.

"A Little Yellow Chicken? This can be a contracted beast too?" The crowd completely exploded.

After her initial surprise, a flash of realization crossed Xiang Ying's mind, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: As expected, he's just pretending not to care. He's actually thinking of committing suicide in the Abyss dungeon... Fine, I will remember you forever!

Huang Desheng, on the other hand, clutched his stomach, tears nearly coming out. "Are you trying to make me die of laughter to win? Hahaha..."

Xu Le smiled. "I hope you can still laugh in ten minutes."