Genius Beast Taming: Starting from Awakening an S-Rank Talent

The middle-aged man quickly explained, "Just as Young Master Zhou said, a fourth-tier Grandmaster Beast Tamer is a respected figure wherever they go. As for easily buying the lives of two fourth-tier Grandmaster Beast Tamers, although our Starlight Arena has powerful backers, we really don't have that ability."

Zhou Heng countered, "Then where did these two fourth-tier Grandmaster Beast Tamers, who are about to engage in a life-or-death duel, come from?"

The middle-aged man replied, "The two of them became enemies for some reason, and it was originally going to be a life-or-death struggle. However, they both have families, and their strengths are similar. If they were to fight to the death carelessly, regardless of who wins or loses, the other's family would be doomed. Therefore, they signed an agreement with our Starlight Arena. They can use the Starlight Arena's facilities to settle their score and put an end to their feud. In return, our Starlight Arena can make a fortune and enhance our reputation. Ultimately, whoever survives is not allowed to harm the other's family."

Zhou Heng asked curiously, "What deep-seated hatred could make them willing to abandon wealth and status and risk their lives?"

The middle-aged man recounted the whole story: "It's actually quite a dramatic tale. A few years ago, one of Grandmaster Gu's great-grandsons killed one of Grandmaster Fu's great-grandsons in a jealous dispute. Grandmaster Fu immediately had Grandmaster Gu's great-grandson killed as well. Coincidentally, the two grandmasters' most talented descendants died, and then a years-long feud ensued. During this time, several more people from both the Gu and Fu families died, and the conflict became completely irreconcilable. Since both of them were over 140 years old and didn't have many years left to live, they decided to have a life-or-death duel to settle their grudges."

Li Lang couldn't help but interject, "They're killing each other's families like this, and the police don't care? And can a verbal agreement really be binding?"

"These two have even more powerful figures behind them. They are colleagues, having previously worked for a sixth-tier commander beast tamer. Out of respect for that person, the police station naturally won't interfere as long as they don't cause any major trouble."

The middle-aged man said in a low voice, "Moreover, this life-or-death duel was also at the behest of that lord. After all, they did go a bit too far before, and that lord was naturally displeased. Making them fight to the death is both a punishment for them and a warning to the rest of their subordinates. As for breaking their promise and attacking the other party's family after winning, that would be slapping that lord in the face. No matter who wins or loses, they wouldn't dare to do that."

Zhou Heng remained expressionless: "Who is this sixth-tier commander beast tamer?"

The middle-aged man lowered his head and said, "Chairman Song of the Xuanxiao City Merchants Association."

Li Lang asked again, "How do you know so much about this?"

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "To put it bluntly, our arena is just a gladiatorial arena or a fighting arena with a nicer name. If we didn't have a powerful backer, how could we open for business? Besides, this is all out in the open, and many people know it."

Zhou Heng understood immediately.

Li Lang instructed, "Alright, Manager Zhao, go wait outside and come in when it's time to place your bets."

"Yes." Manager Zhao, who appeared to be a middle-aged man, immediately left.

Afterwards, someone brought over a bunch of snacks and tea, serving Zhou Heng and Li Lang very well.

As time went on, more and more people gathered in the stands below the private rooms, and the entire arena became noisy.

These people all bought tickets to get in, so even if they don't place any bets later, the arena won't lose money.

Not long after, a host dressed in an extravagant manner, whose gender was indistinguishable, appeared on the stage: "Good afternoon, everyone! I believe you are all here for the life-or-death duel between two grandmasters, right?"

"nonsense!"

"Stop wasting time, quickly bring out the two grandmasters!"

"Hurry up..."

The crowd of spectators was extremely impatient, shouting and yelling, creating a great deal of noise.

The host announced loudly, "Since everyone is so enthusiastic, let's welcome our Grandmaster Gu and Grandmaster Fu to the stage!"

Two white-haired figures flew directly to the giant arena in the center of the arena.

One of them was wearing a black training uniform with the character "古" (gu) on his chest; he must be Master Gu.

The person wearing a white training uniform with the character "Fu" on the back should be Master Fu.

The host then began to say many things to liven up the atmosphere and encourage everyone to place bets.

In the private room where Zhou Heng was, Manager Zhao walked in again: "Young Master Zhou, Young Master Li, how much would you two like to bet?"

Zhou Heng asked, "What are the odds between the two?"

Manager Zhao truthfully stated, "The odds for both grandmasters are 1 to 1.5."

Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow: "The odds aren't very high!"

Manager Zhao quickly smiled apologetically: "Both Grandmasters' strongest beasts are at the fourth tier, third level. They'll be evenly matched in a fight, so the odds won't be too high."

Li Lang scoffed, "With your odds, if you bet 100 yuan and win, you earn 150 yuan; if you lose, the 100 yuan is yours. Then you use the loser's money to pay the winner. How can you not lose money?"

Manager Zhao said with a long face, "Look at what you're saying. All the employees in the arena need to eat; after all, we're not a charity. And you don't know this, but the ratio of people placing bets has to be controlled within a certain range so we don't lose money. Otherwise, we also risk losing money."

Zhou Heng was already familiar with the inner workings of the arena: "You think you can lose money? Once you're on the arena, who wins and who loses, isn't it all controlled by you?"

Manager Zhao did not try to deny it: "In a low-level game, it is indeed possible to do so, but in a life-or-death duel between two fourth-level Grandmaster Beast Tamers, a sixth-level Commander Beast Tamer is also involved. We would never dare to manipulate the outcome."

Seeing his candor, Zhou Heng asked, "What are the talents of these two?"

Manager Zhao immediately said, "Both Grandmasters have C-level talents. Grandmaster Gu has basic ice element immunity, and Grandmaster Fu has basic fire element immunity."

Primary Fire Element Immunity: Grants 30% damage reduction against fire elemental attacks.

It lasts for twenty minutes, then cools down for ten hours.

The talent "Elementary Ice Element Immunity" is similar to "Elementary Fire Element Immunity," except that they manifest differently.

Zhou Heng continued, "Let me introduce their tamed beasts."

Manager Zhao rattled off the names with ease: "Grandmaster Gu's strongest beast is the Snow-Treading Flaming Horse, a lower-tier gold quality. Grandmaster Fu's strongest beast is the Icefield Purple-Maned Mastiff, also a lower-tier gold quality. Each of them also has a support-type beast, namely the Saber-Toothed Flame Cat and the Thousand-Legged Ice Centipede, both of which are upper-tier silver quality, currently only at the peak of the third tier, and cannot play a decisive role."

Li Lang had always regarded Zhou Heng as his pillar of support: "Heng, who do you think has a better chance of winning?"

Zhou Heng was unsure: "It's hard to say, let's just pick one randomly!"

Manager Zhao hinted, "Young Master Zhou, Young Master Li, our arena's specialized analysts have conducted pre-battle analysis, and Grandmaster Gu has a slightly better chance of winning."

Zhou Heng casually said, "Then let's choose him."