Xiaoga Hanami had no idea that at that mont, within the Xiaogasa family's floating island, Xiaoga Yexiong was hiding in his study alone, listening to the CHING! CHING! of betting funds arriving in his account and gleefully opening a bottle of red wine for himself.
Several hundred ters away, Red Princess was excitedly jumping around in her pajamas in her own room, cheering, "I'm rich, I'm rich! My little treasury is fuller and more substantial than ever before!"
After the match, Chen Gu was dragged by Bai Yunpeng to go out and "celebrate big ti" with everyone. Chen Gu made a few token attempts to decline but ended up going along since he had made a hefty profit and was genuinely happy about it.
Of course, he rembered to properly "educate" Combat Rooster later on. Its attempts at showboating were rather low-tier.
On the stellar inter-network, the Alliance's fan forums were about to explode. His supporters, who had seen Combat Rooster being "suppressed" since the start of the match, finally burst with emotion like a volcano erupting when it suddenly won.
While drinking, Bai Yunpeng put his arm around Chen Gu's neck and whispered, "I've found out that the person behind Heibo is Bernice, just so you're aware."
Chen Gu smiled lightly and nodded.
The next day, all reports unanimously featured an image of Combat Rooster standing proudly amidst roaring flas to accompany reports of the match.
Looking at this image, Chen Gu couldn't help but think of the legend of the Phoenix rising from the ashes. It seed that in so myths, creatures like Phoenixes and divine eagles had to defeat serpentine monsters in order to ascend to godhood.
He opened the Dinsional Prison Ring and interrogated Combat Rooster, but the bird was tight-lipped, not willing to say anything, so Chen Gu let it be.
For Chen Gu, this match was essentially over. What he had to face next was his real opponent: Xiaoga Yexiong.
However, for the other party in the match, Heibo, it was far from over. The various negative consequences of defeat were just beginning to affect his life.
Since most of the sponsors were Chen Gu's, and the broadcasting fees belonged to the Alliance, all he could get were the limited sponsorships he had and the participation fee provided by the Alliance.
And the difference in participation fees between winning and losing was significant.
Initially, Heibo only wanted to beco famous and fight Chen Gu. Therefore, he signed the harsh contract without hesitation—at that ti, he was very confident he would win.
Overall, he did earn an inco comparable to what he'd made defeating Myriad Star Shield. However, the upfront training costs were substantial. After deducting various expenses and paying off years of accumulated debt, he had little left and was almost penniless once again.
However, his greatest gain was having his daughter return to his side when he was at his lowest.
But the biggest problem Heibo now faced was his injured nine-headed serpent.
His chanical beast had sustained severe injuries, and the cost to save it would be in the tens of millions—a sum he could not afford at all.
Not to ntion his deep bond with the chanical beast; if he wanted to make a coback, he couldn't afford to lose it.
The day after the match ended, standing outside a beast hospital, he called Bernice's assistant. "I've done as you said..."
Before he could even state his request, the assistant, who had lost a significant sum because of him, coldly interrupted, "You've got plenty from this already, don't be greedy!"
Heibo swallowed his pride and said, "My beast needs treatnt. I've done what you asked. I don't want any reward, just please save it!"
"PFFT!" the assistant scoffed, "You did sothing for us? What exactly? You made Chen Gu a fortune, his reputation skyrocketed, and he's practically the Alliance's number one figure now! Great job indeed!"
"Better off dead, that useless beast of yours!"
"Don't ever call this number again. Our influence is far beyond your imagination!"
The call ended, and Heibo was devastated.
The head of the beast hospital was standing in front of him; from Heibo's expression, he already knew the outco. He shrugged his shoulders. "I sympathize with you, but as you know, business is business. Your partner will be brought out in ten minutes."
Heibo hung his head silently. When he looked up again, the hospital head was already gone. He scanned the skyline. Capital Star was prosperous and advanced; towering buildings and floating islands dotted the sky, ubiquitous displays of its developnt, yet it all felt so cold.
He knew that once his beast was brought out, it faced certain death, and he was powerless to prevent it. The beast's demise signified the utter collapse of the dream he had pursued his entire life.
He had never imagined it. He'd believed this match would be the restart of his dream, but it had turned out to be its final end.
As he wallowed in his despondency, a frail figure appeared beside him, gently embracing him.
He took a careful look before recognizing his only family mber, his daughter.
Unable to hold back any longer, he cried on his daughter's frail shoulder.
Suddenly a voice arose from behind him, "The feeling of defeat is pretty hopeless, isn't it?"
Heibo whipped around, glaring through gritted teeth at Chen Gu, who stood behind him with his hands casually in his pockets. Chen Gu was wearing a suit that, while understated, Heibo could tell was exceedingly expensive. It seed those "big villains" all liked this type of getup.
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