Rebirth of the Prime Dragon Master
Chapter 300 Made A Bet

Meanwhile, Rocky hadn't realized that he had been the center of attention in the Illusory Mirror. Everyone outside the bamboo forest was paying close attention to his performance.

However, he had to direct his attention to a much more serious situation at hand. Because it had just dawned on him that he had lost sight of the spirit manipulator of the third grade of the Earthly Stage.

“That's strange... I'm sure I saw him in front of me a while ago. How did I manage to lose him?* Rocky looked around in search of the figure of the spirit manipulator, as he had planned to use him as bait. But he could simply not find him anywhere.

Without warning, a figure dropped down from the shadows about thirty feet away from where Rocky stood. The fallen figure was the very same bait that Rocky was now searching for. But the figure of his bait crumpled down when an evil figure walked past him. Rocky, far from the spot, remained oblivious.

“Alright then, I guess I'll just wait here until the event ends!" Rocky concluded, as his search went in vain. Since he lost his bait, no one else could clear the way for him. He knew that the other spirit manipulators were engaged in a fight-to-win battle. It wouldn't be long before spirit manipulators began losing their lives or powers. So, rather than advancing forward at great risk to himself, it was wiser to wait at his leisure for a fatigued enemy. His plan to win this competition was to do so without having to go all out.

All at once, Rocky sensed two figures suddenly appeared at his left side. They were at the level of the Earthly Stage in strength. And before Rocky could do anything, the two figures revealed themselves before him.

Rocky studied the two figures and found that they were dressed in the costumes for Deputy Commanders, but in a different color. The cultivation base for the one in red was at the seventh grade of the Earthly Stage, and the one in brown was at the sixth grade of the Earthly Stage. Once they all laid eyes on one another, Rocky knew that these two challengers would not go easy on him. A stand-up fight with them wouldn't be a good idea, Rocky realized, as he took Uriah in an attempt to slip away. However, two spirit-manipulated beasts at the second grade of three stars sprang out just opposite him. The two beasts and the two spirit-manipulating Deputy Commanders formed a pincer formation that blocked Rocky and Uriah's retreat.

In the next moment, Uriah made threatening movements towards the two spirit-manipulated beasts before them. But the two beasts were no less aggressive, and seemed completely unintimidated by Uriah's behavior.

"Uriah, stop!" Rocky admonished Uriah, curbing its temptation to move. This was not the time to be reactionary. They had to be more careful, being outnumbered by their opponents.

"Hmm, isn't this one the beast breeder of the northeast military camp who defeated Evan this morning?" the Deputy Commander in brown remarked in surprise, gazing at Rocky disdainfully.

"Is he? Why, he doesn't look all that powerful! Evan's cultivation base had reached the fourth grade of the Earthly Stage. How could he have possibly lost to this guy?" the other Deputy Commander in red replied as he gave Rocky a quick once-over.

"They're saying that this guy isn't quite being up front about his true skills. His cultivation base should have reached the sixth grade of the Earthly Stage,” the Deputy Commander in brown told the other one.

"Oh, really? That is a little impossible to believe. You wouldn't have known it at all, just looking at him. People who haven't any idea of the true level of his cultivation base may think of him as a mere cultivator at some rubbish level,” the Deputy Commander in red sneered as he eyed Rocky, giving him another disdainful once-over. He couldn't really take Rocky seriously as he fully believed that his own cultivation base at the seventh grade of the Earthly Stage would be more than enough to overwhelm his opponent.

"Do you want to take him out? Or do you want me to do it?" the Deputy Commander in brown asked.

“I'l do it. Let's get this done as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the bigger the likelihood of any more surprises.” The Deputy Commander in red curled his fists, cracking his knuckles as he prepared to engage Rocky in combat.

The Deputy Commander in brown stepped aside immediately.

As this took place, the commentary from the audiences outside the bamboo forest intensified. They had all seen Rocky encounter two powerful spirit-manipulating Deputy Commanders through the Illusory Mirror. Most of them believed that Rocky was now in vast jeopardy. Although Rocky surprised everyone by defeating Evan at his fourth grade of the Earthly Stage, they suspected that Rocky's cultivation base would likely be around the sixth grade of the Earthly Stage. But now, the two Deputy Commanders before him were above the sixth grade of the Earthly Stage. Outclassed, it would be very difficult for him to defeat them.

The rule of a confused fighting forbade battles wherein one was outnumbered. That meant that only one of the two Deputy Commanders could contend with Rocky. But once either of them chose to stop the competition, or tap out, as it were, the other one could carry on the fight against Rocky. This was yet another disadvantage for Rocky, who would have to face both of them one after another.

There were two ways for Rocky to survive this feat of combat. One was to beat a hasty retreat by breaking through their ring around him. The other one was to defeat one of the two challengers at his quickest speed and play the waiting game.

But if Rocky's cultivation base was merely at the sixth grade of the Earthly Stage, it would be unlikely that he'd be able to outrun his opponents even if he somehow broke their hold. And for the second strategy, if he succeeded in defeating one of the challengers, it would be a staggering fight that would take a huge toll on them both. They would have to fight to nearly the last breath. Rocky would be so drained that he wouldn't have the strength to take on the second fighter. Either way, there was no easy way out for Rocky.

And on top of that, Rocky did not know how many spirit manipulators were still lurking in the bamboo forest. He couldn't afford to expend all his strength trying to win against these two challengers. Otherwise, he would end up a sitting duck for anyone else that came by.

The audiences outside the bamboo forest all agreed: Rocky was in a serious predicament. It was like being between a rock and a hard place. Many of them were certain that this was the end of the road for him in the competition.

"Father, did you arrange for all of this to happen?” Isis whispered to her father, unable to help but ask.

Marin, overhearing, felt startled. She didn't believe that the Commander in Chief would have orchestrated setting Rocky in this dangerous situation.

Lance looked back with a calm smile at Isis. "How about making a bet, daughter?"

"What kind of a bet is it?" Isis answered cautiously as she looked in the Illusory Mirror with concern "Let's bet on whether or not Rocky will be knocked out this time," Lance replied, waggling his brows. "Oh, I'll take that bet. I don't care how powerful he seems to be now and again... I don't think he would stand any chance to defeat the combined strengths of two Deputy Commanders from the eastern mountain military camp. Especially not under his current cultivation base!" Isis responded, a finality in her expression. As much as she wanted Rocky to win the battle, the facts didn't like: his chances were slim to none.

"Yeah, it's true. Rocky will have to fight two enemies in succession. There is just no chance." Marin was also worried that Rocky might have to stop here. Luck just wasn't on his side, and there was simply no way out. But, she was still puzzled. Why would the Commander in Chief coordinate such an arrangement? Was it because if Rocky failed in the competition, then the Commander in Chief wouldn't have a reason to promote him anymore?

"So? Are you taking the bet? That Rocky will be knocked out?" Lance asked Isis.

"No. I'm betting that he will be one of the seven people who will survive the competition,” Isis replied firmly, clearly having suddenly changed her stance.

"Cousin!" Marin exclaimed in surprise, whirling around to look at her.

"Commander Marin, how about it? Want to join us? I will reward the one who makes the correct prediction with a preliminary Dark Heaven Egg. And the one who fails to choose the correct outcome shall have a drink with me as punishment.” Lance grinned at Marin.

"Then... Alright. I also predict that Rocky will be able to get into the second round of competition!" It had taken a few moments of deliberation, but Marin opted to choose Isis’ side.

"Hmm, so neither of you want to see Rocky defeated! Actually, I also want to see him succeed in the competition. He could be that once-in-a-lifetime talent that we've been looking for." Lance nodded, a meaningful expression on his face as he talked to the two girls beside him.

"So you've set this up only to see if he's been hiding his talents all along, didn't you? Even so...it doesn't look like he has a real fighting chance...” Isis felt uneasy at the thought. She was certainly hoping that Rocky could make it. But at the same time, she did not see the slightest possibility in him making it out of this particular situation. Hope and worry battled over in her mind.

"However slim the chance is, it is still a chance. But that'll still depend on how he seizes the moment,” Lance replied, clearly with some hidden meaning.

At that, Isis and Marin returned their attentions to the Illusory Mirror. Though they kept their thoughts to themselves, they watched in anticipation as the confrontation between Rocky and the two spirit-manipulating Deputy Commanders commenced.