Chapter Forty-Nine: The Final Battle for Fifty Billion

Qin Ming noticed something alarming: by dusk, he had already completed the thirty-third diagram of the Profound Dao. He wasn't sure if it was because he had grasped its essence, or perhaps this world offered terrifying enhancements in body refinement, or it might even be due to the spiritual liquid. Whatever the reason, the rapid progress filled Qin Ming with joy.

He touched his stomach; surprisingly, he didn't feel hungry.

“But Zhao Ruo said that tonight, the Chinese students here are holding a banquet to welcome me,” Qin Ming mused as he stepped out of the basement. After washing up, he felt refreshed. Just then, Zhao Ruo’s voice echoed from outside, “Qin Ming, are you ready yet?”

“All set!” he replied.

“I barely saw you moving around today. Were you training in the basement?”

“Well, idleness is simply wasted time.”

“You really are diligent!” Zhao Ruo was speechless. “When I arrived last year, I spent an entire day just feeling excited, then another day familiarizing myself with the place, and only started training on the third day!”

“Only through diligence can one get ahead!” Shi Jiang came out as well, saying, “Junior Zhao, you need to work harder!”

“Am I not already working hard?” Zhao Ruo wrinkled her nose.

“You’re hardworking, more than most!” Shi Jiang stepped back.

Qin Ming smiled.

The elite training camp naturally had a dining hall, staffed by the world’s most renowned chefs. Besides regular meals, any banquets or gatherings required one to pay out of pocket.

“This time, the strongest genius among the Chinese here, Chu Qiang, is hosting your welcoming banquet!” Zhao Ruo said. “About twenty people, all from back home. We’ll see each other often, so building connections now will be good for the future!”

“Understood,” Qin Ming nodded.

Naturally, factions existed within the camp—smaller ones based on city, larger ones by country. Here, strength was the main criterion, but sticking together could yield great benefits in the future.

After all, the maximum stay here was five years.

Upon entering the dining hall, Chu Qiang came forward. “Martial candidate in May, special recruit in June, elite training camp in July. Even more impressive, you’re only eighteen. Qin Ming, I can confidently say that within a year, you’ll be among the ranks of the War Gods, vying for a top ten spot on the Black Dragon List. I’m Chu Qiang; let’s look out for each other from now on.”

He extended his hand.

“Senior Chu, you flatter me!” Qin Ming replied, smiling as he shook hands.

Chu Qiang looked exceedingly robust, his eyes unusually bright, his posture upright, exuding an air of seriousness.

What followed was drinking and introductions.

Most of the students were warm and welcoming.

After all, anyone who made it here was destined for greatness, so forming connections early was crucial.

As the banquet neared its end, Chu Qiang sought him out again; the others naturally stepped back.

“Our military department has extended an invitation. Would you be interested in joining?” Chu Qiang's words made it clear he was already a member and here as a recruiter. “It’s very fair—your benefits rise with your strength. If you join, each year during your five years in the camp, you’ll receive ten billion in activity funds!”

Ten billion—for a new recruit, it was a staggering temptation. Even senior students would be hard-pressed to refuse!

But Qin Ming was unmoved.

Over these past two days, he’d received many offers; some factions had even gone as high as fifty billion.

Qin Ming shook his head. “Senior Chu, I’ve already signed an agreement with the Martial Hall.”

“Every student here signs one…” Chu Qiang paused, his eyes suddenly lighting up. “A special agreement?”

Qin Ming nodded.

“Amazing!” Chu Qiang gave a thumbs-up. “No matter where we go, our roots remain unchanged.”

“Our roots are fixed, immovable; even if I travel the ends of the earth, the final destination will never be elsewhere.”

“Good!” Chu Qiang smiled, patting Qin Ming’s shoulder. “If you ever run into trouble in the camp, come to me anytime!”

“Thank you, Senior!”

After a few more words, they parted.

Soon after, the banquet ended and everyone dispersed.

A gentle breeze blew as Qin Ming exhaled the scent of alcohol.

“Did Senior Chu invite you? What price did he offer? Did you agree?” Zhao Ruo asked quickly in a low voice.

“Ten billion. I declined,” Qin Ming replied with a smile.

“Ten billion?” Zhao Ruo almost cried out, then said bitterly, “When he invited me, he only offered one billion per year. Hmph, he underestimated me!”

“When you graduate, it might still be one billion. By then, Junior Qin, you’ll probably get fifty or even a hundred billion,” Shi Jiang said calmly.

“Senior Shi Jiang, did I offend you?” Zhao Ruo’s gaze was unfriendly.

Shi Jiang hunched his neck, quickly retreated, and vanished in an instant.

“Hmph!” Zhao Ruo pouted.

Qin Ming couldn’t help but laugh.

To be honest, Zhao Ruo was just a young girl around twenty.

He and Zhao Ruo were about to leave when a voice called from behind.

“Qin Ming, wait!”

It was awkward Chinese.

Turning around, they saw two foreigners with golden hair, smiling as they approached. One introduced himself, “I’m William from the European Union, and this is my friend Candice.”

“Is there something you need?” Qin Ming raised his eyebrows.

“I heard you’re a special recruit, a newcomer from China. All of you are exceptional—talented and strong!” William smiled brightly. “I’d like to spar with you. Only through constant duels can we improve rapidly. Qin Ming, how about a match?”

“A match?”

“Yes, let’s go to the Challenge Room! You know about it, right? It’s an artifact from ancient civilizations, a virtual space where you can fight for your life without fear of real death. Only life-and-death struggle can unlock your potential. Of course, some stakes make it more engaging; with a wager, you’ll fight more seriously!”

“William, you’re still shameless!” Zhao Ruo snorted. “Qin Ming just arrived today; how could he be your match? Gambling? Might as well hand you money!”

“How is that handing me money? The Challenge Room is fair. Besides, Qin Ming is a special recruit—surely extraordinary!” William looked at Qin Ming. “Ten billion, just ten billion as a wager. For us, that’s pocket change!”

Qin Ming hesitated, his gaze evasive, but he was also eager.

“Let’s go!” Zhao Ruo shot William a glare, pulling Qin Ming away, but William blocked their path. “Newcomers should get to know the place. A wager is also a way for him to learn quickly. Really, ten billion is pocket change. If I weren’t helping new students, I wouldn’t waste my time!”

“You said ten billion is pocket change—if we bet, let’s bet big!” Qin Ming said, almost as if he were provoking him.

William’s eyes brightened. “Thirty billion?”

“Five hundred billion!” Qin Ming straightened his neck.

“Five hundred billion?” William was dumbfounded.

Zhao Ruo was stunned and then burst out laughing.

Candice, always aloof, curled her lips.

“Of course! You said ten billion is pocket change!” Qin Ming put his hands behind his back, appearing tough. “If you want to bet, bet big. If you don’t have the funds, please leave.”

“You…!” William’s expression changed. “Five hundred billion, are you really willing?”

“If you dare accept, I dare bet!” Qin Ming’s voice sharpened. “We’re elite trainees, destined to be War Gods. Our word is our bond; honor is paramount. Since I proposed it, I’ll stand by it!”

“Heh heh…” William ground his teeth, eager to agree, but hesitated considering his own situation.

“No funds? What a letdown!”

Qin Ming waved his hand and turned to leave, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Wait!” William couldn’t let the opportunity slip by—a fat duck, no, a fat goose pretending to be a wolf! If he let it go, he’d die of regret!

“I can get tens of billions in minutes, but I don’t have time to waste. If you want to bet, bet. Otherwise, forget it. Are you a man or not?” Qin Ming said impatiently.

Zhao Ruo’s eyes sparkled; she tried to speak several times, but Qin Ming silenced her with a look.

“One minute!” William said, then turned to Candice. “I don’t have enough money. Want to join?”

“How much short?” Candice licked her lips.

“My entire fortune is only five billion!” William replied. “Lend me twenty-five billion, and I’ll give you two billion of the share. Deal?”

“Not much of a deal,” Candice’s eyes flickered. “Are you sure he’s not pretending to be weak?”

“I’ve checked. On May 1st, he passed the martial candidate exam; only two months have passed, and his physical strength has reached high-level warlord status. That kind of progress is rare! But in two months, what secret techniques could he have mastered? His power amplification must be low. Candice, this is a chance to make a fortune! Besides, didn’t you notice? He’s trying to scare me off! Heh heh!”

“Just agree to him!”

“Alright!” William was excited and said to Qin Ming, “Five hundred billion—it’s a bet!”

Qin Ming’s face paled, stuttering, “You—you really agreed?”

“A man’s word is his bond. When I get back, I’ll apply. You can’t refuse, or the entire elite camp—no, the world—will mock you!” William finished, strutting away triumphantly.

“I—I…” Qin Ming looked down, his voice lower still. “If I don’t accept, may thunder strike me from the heavens!”