Chapter 488: Skybound Destiny

Swish—Boom!

A piercing sonic boom tore across the Capital’s sky, instantly drawing a shocked crowd to look upward.

Unlike before when it would have startled them, recent repeated breaches of the no-fly rule have made them a bit accustomed.

“Captain! Someone’s infiltrating our air defense identification…!”

Outside the Death Duel arena on Central North Road.

A patrolling security team, upon hearing the noise, instinctively looked up. Just as they were about to trace its source, the nearby Squad Captain took a quick look and, with a resigned shake of his head, held them back.

“Forget him. Didn’t you notice his outfit?”

“Black-and-red combat uniform—who else would be flying our way but him…”

Listening to the Captain’s exasperated tone, several Squad Members paused. Glancing upward, they indeed spotted the newcomer just as he described.

Under the cover of night, none other than Yenir, streaking through the sky.

Unlike the security team who merely watched as Yenir flew by, an Awakener from the Army’s Third Legion instantly paled and rushed to alert Lu Tianming inside the arena.

“Committee Member Lu! That kid’s here!”

Watching Yenir bypass them without a care, their eyes flashed with cold disdain; one Third-Stage Awakened even let out a bitter chuckle.

“This kid’s as cocky as ever… Even if Committee Member Lu has to follow the rules, he parades them like a joke!”

“A brash punk like him—I bet he won’t dare act so high and mighty after today!”

“Just another lowlife who relies on raw talent, thinking he’s something special.”

They exchanged glances, their eyes full of unhidden scorn—and perhaps even envy.

A mere eighteen-year-old, rising so fast that it forced Committee Member Lu to deal with him personally. Had he been born into a high-status family, it might have been overlooked, but knowing Yenir’s humble origins, they all felt the world was plainly unjust.

Unlike most onlookers who simply expected Yenir to lose, Lu Tianming’s close aides knew all too well the tremendous price Committee Member Lu had paid to set up today’s trap.

Heh, if we don’t cut off this kid’s hands, that’d just be Committee Member Lu going easy on him!

Meanwhile, several Third-Stage Awakener bettors gathered outside the arena, their faces clouded with discontent.

Before, their main issue with Yenir was simply his arrogance, but now…

“Heh, the more I look at him, the less I like him. After today, I want to see if he can even hold onto his sequence status if he’s ruined…”

“I say he should be properly punished already—if only the high-ups weren’t so soft. China isn’t short of geniuses; does it really need another one like him?”

“Yeah… riding on his talent while acting all high and mighty, thinking he’s indispensable?”

“I’m betting that today, Committee Member Lu will teach him a lesson—let him realize there’s always someone better out there!”

With that, they chuckled softly, as if already picturing Yenir being sliced out of existence by Lu Tianming.

“Damn, he actually dares to show up. My thousand-point bet’s gone up in smoke—I thought he’d be too scared to come…”

“But thank goodness, I set mine at ten seconds! What about you guys?”

“Nine seconds—I think that’s about right…”

“Hehe, I went with fifteen seconds; I’m betting he’ll scatter in panic!”

…….

Amidst the noisy clamor and uproar.

Yenir listened impassively to the chaotic buzz around him, his acute hearing catching countless sneers and resentful remarks.

Unsurprisingly, driven by massive stakes, the Death Duel had already lost its original flavor.

Whether involved or not, every Awakener present now harbored a natural hostility toward him.

Except for those in the highest ranks and in the Operations Department who remained neutral—in every direction he looked, they were all foes.

But.

It didn’t matter.

He wanted precisely this effect.

This setup could be credited to Lu Tianming, or one might even call it… a joint effort between them.

The moment he stepped into the arena, Yenir stared blankly, ignoring the uniform glares thrown his way.

At that instant, as he fully entered the Death Duel arena, he became the center of attention. Tens of thousands of Awakeners and high-ranking figures turned their heads in unison, plunging the arena into a brief, eerie silence.

“Yenir!?”

The eerie quiet stretched across the arena.

From the stands.

Almost as soon as Yenir appeared, Zhao Hongtu—who had been waiting anxiously—seemingly disregarded his rank and rushed directly in front of him. Alongside, several men in white uniforms, resembling official personnel, followed closely.

Grabbing Yenir firmly and leaving no room for objection, Zhao Hongtu dragged him away with a grim expression, as if burdened with unsaid words.

But within seconds of entering the secluded briefing room, Zhao Hongtu’s face turned grave as he spoke hurriedly:

“Yenir! Cancel the Death Duel right now!”

“The situation isn’t right! I don’t have time for explanations—you’re in serious danger!”

As if burdened with sudden understanding, Zhao Hongtu took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting reluctant sorrow.

Then, as though afraid Yenir might stubbornly show off, he waved for Ming Luo, who had just followed in, to pull out a tablet.

“Yenir! We have no idea what’s going on. The entire arena is betting—many are wagering that you’ll lose!”

“Look at these figures! Total funds have already surpassed ten billion!”

“This is too fishy—there’s definitely something wrong!”

Ming Luo, speaking fast and clutching the tablet, wore an expression of intense anxiety.

Ten billion in bets! That number meant everyone in the arena was wagering on Yenir!

From a few hours ago when the odds first opened, no one took it too seriously, thinking someone was simply trying to make a quick buck. But as the situation escalated and the sums soared past ten billion, Zhao Hongtu suddenly realized that this wasn’t just a bet on victory or defeat—it was all aimed at Yenir!

Yet, as if oblivious to it all, Yenir casually scanned the betting numbers and simply nodded.

“Oh, quite a sum. Uncle Zhao, is there anything else?”

“If not, I plan to get ready to start the Death Duel.”

With that, Zhao Hongtu and the others fell silent for a moment.

Could it be that this kid just doesn’t get it?!

“Yenir?”

“Don’t you understand?! You stubborn kid!”

Waving aside the soundproof barrier, Zhao Hongtu quickly explained:

“So many are betting on your loss, and the time limits are outrageously short—even some are wagering you’ll get injured!”

“What does that mean!? It means that if you lose without making a scene and manage a clean exit, they’ll hemorrhage huge losses!”

“People are terrifying! When everyone hopes for your downfall, have you even thought about the consequences?!”

“I tell you, such a devious setup has to be Lu Tianming’s doing! He’s playing to the crowd—and one wrong move, and you’re as good as done in this Death Duel!”

In mid-sentence, Lu Tianming couldn’t help but recall the position he’d been assigned.

That’s right—he and Fang Hao would do everything to protect this kid. Yet now, his confidence was waning. Battles among high ranks are perilous by nature—who can guarantee that nothing will go wrong?

Since they already suspected Lu Tianming was orchestrating the setup, there was no need to willingly jump into the trap!

If Lu Tianming had been harsher earlier, the high-ups would have protested—but the allure of power is irresistible. Who knows what the situation is like now?!

In this world, nothing is more terrifying than greed!

With enough at stake, no one is beyond sacrifice!