Chapter 86: The Battle Is Over

What is it?

Feeling that scorching gaze, he asked in confusion.

Jin Jie hurriedly shook his head.

"Nothing, big brother! I was just thinking about something."

Since the Cock King was clearly formidable, Jin Jie finally relaxed.

What they needed to do now was simply wait quietly for the Cockfight Grand Championship three days later.

"Since things here are settled, I should head to the next area."

Worried about missing the schedule, Xiao Yang had already asked Wang Xi to handle his competition registration.

All he had to do now was show up, and the matches could begin.

As for Jin Jie and the others, all four sets of eyes turned at once to the Hound of the Underworld.

Next would be the dogfights.

Without the slightest hesitation, all four wanted to follow Xiao Yang and see for themselves.

Would this fierce-looking fighting dog still be just as ferocious on the battlefield?

"Big brother, we want to go with you."

Xiao Yang nodded directly.

Since they were going anyway, and there was nothing left for these men to do here, they might as well go together.

"Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way!"

At that, Jin Ying became positively delighted and led the way in front.

Because the two arenas were not too far apart, they had barely left the cockfighting grounds when they could already hear the thunderous baying ahead.

Now and then, pained howls from dogs also drifted through the air.

Soon, all five arrived at the dogfighting arena.

This time there were far fewer cages, but each one was quite large.

Each measured roughly thirty feet across.

Wang Xi happened to spot Xiao Yang entering and hurried over to greet him.

If Xiao Yang had not arrived soon, he was about to send someone to fetch him.

Things were almost about to begin here.

If he still failed to show, then even with the authority he held, Xiao Yang would be disqualified.

"Young masters, you've arrived just in time. The matches here have already started."

As they entered and were stirred by the scent of blood, the Hound of the Underworld was visibly excited.

Its eyes swept restlessly over the fighting dogs around it.

If Xiao Yang had not been beside it, it might already have charged out.

"Woof! Woof!"

A deafening bark rang out.

Everyone looked over.

They saw a fighting dog nearly twenty feet long frantically barking at the Hound of the Underworld.

The chain restraining it was made of refined iron, thick as an adult's arm.

Even so, it was being yanked so violently that it clattered and rattled.

"This is the signature beast of our arena, our ace fighter. Its name is Overlord," Wang Xi introduced with a smile.

Jin Ying nodded. He had clearly heard of this dog as well.

"I've heard of it. It once hunted down a Black Rock Bear with the strength of a rank-seven beast master, and they say that bear never even had a chance to fight back."

Wang Xi nodded as well, effectively confirming it.

That made Xiao Yang look twice.

"It really is imposing," he thought, unable to disagree.

"Overlord has a record of a hundred consecutive victories. My master also said that anyone who defeats Overlord will receive a reward of one million taels."

Xiao Yang's eyes lit up.

His gaze unconsciously fell on Overlord.

He stroked his chin.

"One million taels... that sounds like it has some promise."

In a moment, Xiao Yang was already planning to raise the Hound of the Underworld several more levels.

Then he would smash this so-called Dogfighting King to pieces.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, so he turned to Wang Xi and asked, "Brother, are there any procedures required to challenge this one?"

Wang Xi and the four young masters all froze.

They looked at Xiao Yang in astonishment.

"You want to challenge Overlord?" Wang Xi asked, uncertain.

One had to know, Overlord had held the title of Dogfighting King for five years straight.

Forget defeating Overlord; even making it bleed had been beyond the reach of any fighting dog for years.

It could be said that the dog king, Overlord, was one of their great symbols.

It was also a sign of the arena's strength.

"Yes. I want to try."

Though surprised, Wang Xi still explained, "There is. You have to become first place in the Dogfight Grand Championship before you can challenge Overlord."

The arena feared that people with hidden motives might bring in inferior fighting dogs to drain Overlord's stamina, then send in top-tier dogs for a war of attrition.

Even the best fighting dog would be worn to death under those conditions.

That was why the arena had made this rule.

"Champion, huh?"

Xiao Yang nodded thoughtfully.

Since he could not challenge it directly, there was no need to strengthen the dog now.

It would not be too late to reinforce it after taking the championship.

Although the Hound of the Underworld was only at the first level of beast master strength right now, it should have no major problems in this preliminary round.

"All right, then."

Just then, a voice rang out.

"Eighty-eight, thirty-two, enter Cage Five."

Hearing that, Wang Xi quickly handed the token in his hand to Xiao Yang.

"Young Master Xiao, you are number eighty-eight."

He did not forget to explain it.

Xiao Yang took the number and walked toward the fifth cage.

The Hound of the Underworld followed at his side.

For some reason, whenever it appeared, even fighting dogs in the middle of a desperate struggle would stop and stare at it.

"Little one, do you know how to raise a dog?"

Just as they arrived at Cage Five, a voice sounded from across the way.

Xiao Yang looked up.

It was a man in his fifties, holding a fighting dog more than three feet long.

Before the fight had even begun, that dog's eyes were already locked tightly on the Hound of the Underworld.

Xiao Yang ignored him completely, opened the iron gate, and let the Hound of the Underworld in.

Seeing this, the old man in his fifties smiled faintly.

He also opened his own gate, preparing to let his fighting dog enter.

"Little one, today I, the Northern Arena Dog King, will give you a free lesson: fighting dogs are not suited to you."

Clearly, this old man had some standing.

But Xiao Yang had only just entered this world today and knew nothing of the so-called Dog Kings of the Northern, Eastern, or Western Arenas.

He had only one thought: crush them all.

Then take a grand prize, and by the way, challenge the Dogfighting King for some extra money.

As for the rest, did it matter that much?

"Growl!"

Across from him was a giant white dog.

The moment it entered the cage, it let out a series of deep, rumbling snarls.

Yet the Hound of the Underworld remained unmoved.

It ambled slowly toward its opponent.

That drew a cold smile from the old man watching.

"The dog is a fine dog, but its master is a fool and doesn't know how to train it."

In his eyes, the Hound of the Underworld had clearly been trained into trash.

A dog so careless would often be unable to last even one exchange.

Just then, the white giant dog drove power into its hind legs and sprang suddenly, lunging at the Hound of the Underworld.

Seeing this, the old man lifted his chin and said with great seriousness, "Little one, listen to this old man's advice: dogfighting is not the trade for you. In the future, leave dogs alone."

Crack, crack.

The sound of bones breaking rang out.

A miserable howl followed.

"Looks like the fight is over."

The old man said calmly, head still raised.

Even Xiao Yang could barely stand it.

This old man was useless at raising dogs, but he was certainly a master of posturing.

Unfortunately, with one careless misstep, that display had turned into sheer stupidity.

"Old sir, can you open your eyes and take a look before you speak?"

Even after hearing that, the Northern Arena Dog King remained utterly unruffled.

"Heh. What's there to look at? A one-sided crushing match has no interest at all."

Xiao Yang was speechless.

The next moment—

Boom!

The white giant dog's body slammed hard into the cage.

A painful whine escaped it.