Chapter 335: Chapter 334 Embrace

The match was to take place in three days, because they had to wait for a Messenger from the Ancestral Court to come and supervise the event, to ensure the fairness of the battle. After all, the fact that humans had managed to secure nine victories was already an incredible feat and could easily raise suspicions.During these three days, the same topic dominated discussions in streets and alleys. One could even occasionally hear shouts of 'headshots' echoing.

Compared with humans, the Monsters almost unanimously believed that it was impossible for humans to win. In their subconscious, it was a given that humans were not allowed to become nobles. Moreover, the team that Shrek squad was about to face was even more popular than the Shrek squad. It was a team renowned for potentially winning even if they went to compete at the Ancestral Court.

Therefore, in the three days leading up to the match, the amount wagered had reached an astonishing level. Bets favoring the Monsters' team clearly had the advantage. After all, the wealth at the disposal of humans was very limited. Even if the previous victories of the Shrek squad had brought them a considerable profit, it still wasn't comparable to the wealth of the Monster Clan nobles!

But for some unknown reason, suddenly a large number of bets were placed on Shrek squad, which managed to shift the odds by a few points. This prompted the great nobles, who were preparing to place more bets on time-based betting for thrills, to invest more money in the win-loss betting, pulling the odds back to one-to-five. That is to say, if Shrek squad won, it would be one-to-five!

Before the match had even begun, humans were already at an absolute disadvantage in the betting. Even some of the more rational humans were advising their friends not to get their hopes up. After all, it was exceedingly difficult for humans to attain noble titles.

In such a tense atmosphere, the Grand Animal Fighting Arena became even more charged in the days leading up to the match, leading to an over-the-top excitement among the spectators who had been coming to watch for several consecutive days, which in turn greatly increased the daily revenue of the Grand Animal Fighting Arena.

And finally, the day had arrived. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

When Tang San and his group entered the Grand Animal Fighting Arena, they could vaguely sense that today was different from the past.

It was said that early in the morning the area around the Grand Animal Fighting Arena had been packed to the point of being impenetrable. The City Lord Manor had to send people specifically to maintain order.

Tang San and his group had difficulty squeezing through the crowd to the vicinity of the Grand Animal Fighting Arena while wearing hooded cloaks. Only after quietly putting on their masks and revealing their identities to the guards were they allowed in.

It felt menacing! This was a feeling Tang San and his group could clearly perceive. The atmosphere of ominous menace gave off an invisible oppressiveness, making even Du Bai, who was usually quite unruly, somewhat tongue-tied.

As they made their way through the crowd, they could even see that the eyes of many humans were red, their excitement bordering on hysteria. Among them, there were surely gamblers, but even more were filled with anticipation, hoping for a truly epoch-making victory for humanity.

But, could such a victory really be achieved? No one knew. Moreover, the likelihood of winning seemed to be getting slimmer with more information being released by the officials. Yet, even so, humans were not willing to give up even the slightest bit of hope. After all, they had longed for this day for far too long!

Perhaps Tang San was the only one who wasn't nervous. He was not just composed but even felt somewhat excited. Such emotions had not surfaced in a long time— at least not since Pretty Girl went into seclusion.

The unity among humans might have truly begun from this battle. Isn't that what the Redemption Organization hoped for the most—making Jiali City the main base for humanity? That's why they had been supporting Pretty Girl at all costs so that she could become the City Lord of Jiali City in the future, despite knowing that the possibility was remote. So, for Pretty Girl and for humanity, let's complete this initial work of solidarity.

The Bloodthirsty Devil Ape had long been waiting there and, upon seeing Tang San and his four companions arrive, it greeted them with a stern face and led them to the resting room.

After closing the door of the resting room, the Bloodthirsty Devil Ape said in a grave voice, "On behalf of the City Lord, I'll ask you one last time, do you really wish to take part in this final match? It's not too late to regret it now. After all, life only offers one chance. Giving up the match will at worst damage your reputation, considering no one has seen your faces beneath those masks, you can still live very well. To have achieved nine victories is already a record in human history."

Wu Bingji responded indifferently, "At a time like this, even if we know we'll die, there's no turning back for us. This is the first time humanity has had hope. If we die in battle, at least the seed of hope will continue to burn in everyone's hearts. If we flee without fighting, then that hope will truly be extinguished. You are not human, you wouldn't understand how important this is to us humans, this hope that sustains so many of us to live on."

The Bloodthirsty Devil Ape looked at him intently and said, "Since that's the case, then I won't say anymore. Although we aren't the same race, I have come to respect you at this point. Get ready." Having spoken, it opened the door and turned to leave.

Today, the Bloodthirsty Devil Ape was clearly not as respectful as it had been before previous matches. Obviously, it did not have high hopes for the Shrek squad to create a miracle. What it said today was all from its heart. In fact, it genuinely did not want the Shrek squad to continue the competition.

And Wu Bingji's words had indeed earned its genuine admiration.

Wu Bingji turned to the other four, "It's right. Today, we may very well die, unable to defeat our opponent. If there's anyone among you who now wants to opt out, that's okay, it's still not too late. As long as one person participates, it means that we Shrek have not fallen, humanity has not fallen."

Gu Li's eyes were bright; he smiled and said, "Big brother, when I first came, I was really a bit nervous. Just like the first match we took part in, I was truly nervous. Everyone fears death, I'm no exception. But you're right, we represent more than ourselves, we are the hope of humanity. My blood is burning now, so what if we die? Birds will sing until they die, and the undying will live on forever. Let's just do it." His nervousness was gone, and in his eyes, it was as if flames were indeed burning.

Cheng Zicheng stood up and walked slowly towards Wu Bingji.

Looking at her, Wu Bingji's gaze softened, "Chengzi, this is a man's business, you really shouldn't..."

Cheng Zicheng walked up to him, covered his mouth, and said with a mischievous grin, "Don't be a male chauvinist, ok? Although I quite like the manly air about you men when you go all machismo. However, we humans have a saying, 'Women are as good as men.' If we're all fighting for the hope of humanity, why should it only be you men? We women can do the same. Big brother, I just want to tell you something heartfelt, can you come with me for a moment?"

"Ah?" Wu Bingji was stunned.

"Heh heh heh." Du Bai laughed out loud from nearby, "What heartfelt talk? Chengzi, don't be staking your claim here! Let me tell you, I've calculated it, today our luck is very auspicious."

Cheng Zicheng glared at him fiercely, then turned back to Wu Bingji, grabbing his sleeve, revealing a look of entreaty in her eyes.

Wu Bingji took a deep breath and suddenly opened his arms, embracing her tightly into his chest.

Yes, that kind of wholehearted embrace, a tight embrace.