"Antonio!"
In the spectator stands, a black market boss crushed the wine glass in his hand with a CRACK. A mixture of wine and glass shards splashed onto the floor. He glared at the cigar-smoking Antonio, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
"You damn fatty, who would've thought you were the one who ca prepared!" The female owner of the Dark Matter Nightclub had a grim expression. She crushed her cigarette into a mangled ss, her eyes filled with venomous killing intent. She gritted her teeth, looking as if she wanted to flay Antonio alive.
She had been completely confident in Goblin Ah Bin, thinking that even if he didn't win the championship, he'd at least place in the top three. That would have built up the Dark Matter Nightclub's reputation and let her rake in a huge profit. But thanks to Zhou Chen's appearance, her goblin didn't even make it to the finals.
The gap between her expectations and reality was just too vast to accept. To win over that lecherous goblin, she had even sent her nightclub's top girl to sleep with him!
"Antonio, that's just low of you. Finding such a powerful Alchemist and keeping it a secret... Aren't you just trying to pull a fast one on all of us!" one of the bosses said, displeased.
Having been tricked out of a large sum of money, no one would be happy in their shoes.
"If I said I had no idea he was this capable, would you guys believe ?"
Antonio put on a "who would have ever thought" expression, not even trying to hide his ecstatic surprise. Puffing on his cigar, the corners of his lips curled up. "Old Zhang got injured a few days ago while researching Alchemy, and I was worried about finding soone for the competition. Then this guy just popped up, said he was an Alchemist. The competition was about to start, so what could I do? I just had to throw caution to the wind and let him enter..."
"I was originally just hoping to keep a low profile and lose a little less money, but who knew Old Dog Li would keep targeting ... Tsk tsk, Old Dog Li, so clever you played yourself."
Boss Li's face alternated between green and white. He was so angry he couldn't even speak.
"Damn it, how did you get so lucky?" soone muttered, unwilling to accept it.
"Alright, none of us are short on cash. We can afford to let Rebirth win this one ti. If you want to grow the black market, you need to have a bigger perspective." An old man spoke up with a chuckle. He was the true top dog of Hong City's underworld, respected in both legal and illegal circles. As soon as he spoke, the dissatisfaction of the others subsided.
"Let's just keep watching the competition. If I'm not mistaken, this contestant is likely a registered Alchemist who has passed the official examination."
The old man looked at Antonio, who just shrugged helplessly. "I really don't know. He never said he was a registered Alchemist, only that he knew a little sothing about Alchemy."
Just then, the female announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "Ladies and gentlen, the topic for the third and final round is about to be revealed. All eyes on the big screen!"
On the big screen, after a countdown tir vanished and a dazzling special effects animation played, the topic for the third and final round was officially announced—Enhancent Potion!
"It's the Enhancent Potion!"
The female announcer exclaid, "It's been a long ti since we've seen such a high-level potion in the finals! It seems the bosses and judges have high hopes for this year's contestants!
"Oh? Wait a mont, we're getting breaking news from backstage. Due to the increased difficulty, the champion's prize will be increased once again!"
Amidst thrilling music, the sound of showering money blared from every speaker. The screen filled with a cascade of Gold Coins, piling up into a glittering golden mountain. Then, a dazzling, astronomical number was revealed with stunning impact.
"First, the champion's prize pool has been updated to one hundred million!"
"Second, the champion will be able to select any one item from the upcoming international auction, and the bosses will pool their funds to bid on it for them."
"Third, the champion can choose any two rewards from the prize vault."
"Fourth..."
The female announcer deliberately paused, heightening the crowd's anticipation.
"Everyone should be very familiar with the recent superstar actress—Julie Eva! The movie she starred in was a massive blockbuster, and she herself beca an overnight sensation with her outstanding acting, stunning looks, and slender figure, becoming the Goddess in countless people's hearts."
"The champion will have this Goddess... for seven whole days!"
Right on cue, a photo of the superstar actress appeared on the big screen. The sexy picture instantly triggered a tsunami of cheers. Now *that* was a prize with so kick!
"Is she that famous?" Down below, Zhou Chen asked curiously while sipping a Coke.
"Not just famous. *Extrely* famous."
The light from the screen reflected in Li Xiangyang's eyes as he looked at the photo and explained, "The movie she starred in, *Rat Avoidance Manor*, beca the hottest-selling film of the year. The mont it was released, she was ranked among the World's sexiest actresses of all ti. It's a very prestigious list, and she has legions of crazed fans all over the globe..."
"To think they'd get her to be a prize... No, 'get her' is definitely not the right word. It's more like she was coerced. In a place like Hong City, the bosses of the underground black market have a lot of power. International auctions, international film festivals... they have a hand in many major events. Deciding who to make famous or who to blacklist is as simple as saying the word for them."
Zhou Chen stroked his chin, studying the image on the big screen. Even from just a photo, he could tell the superstar actress possessed an alluring and exquisite beauty. No wonder she was the dream Goddess for so many people.
He glanced to the side and saw Li Xiye, who was sipping a cocktail through a straw, quickly look away and pretend nothing had happened. Just a mont ago, Li Xiye had been secretly observing his expression, thinking she was being subtle.
Just then, the announcent for the contestants to enter the arena was made. Li Xiangyang asked, "The topic for the third round is the Enhancent Potion. That's a very difficult potion to create. Are you confident?"
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