Once the after party was over. I went back to my room and practiced my cultivation. I had advanced 3 minor realms over the course of the fights. I had to do this consolidation before I suffered a backlash. It was fine though. I could do this quickly. The idea of being able to fly around in the sky was a good driving force but. There was another, kekeke. Boobs are a powerful driving force. I wasn't as shallow as to go after any set though. I would have to play this carefully. I don't want to get stuck with any random woman just for the sake of boobs. So I must cultivate diligently.
After a solid month of cultivating I finished consolidating my new strength. I am quite strong now. I wonder if I could have beaten that bully silly with this strength. That would be funny. Meh, let's continue to practice my spear and my hammer. Then I have to think of a way to earn money. Oh! I know I could open a shop and sell some candy from my world. I'll make lemon flavored candy. That shouldn't be too hard.
I'll need some money to start such a thing. Let's go to the challenge arena and see if there is anyone paying for sparring sessions. There may be a few now. Master did say she wanted people to practice well.
Heading over to the challenge arena I saw there was already a crowd. Seems my luck is quite good. One person up on the stage was in the same realm as I was. Though they were a 9th layer and I a 5th layer. It would be a good match.
"Taking bets here! Challengers can bet too." A gambler said off to the side.
I walked up to place a bet on myself. "I'd like to participate in the challenge. And place 100 silver coins and 1000 spirit stones on myself." I said putting the money down. This was half of the money that my master had given to me in the Space Bag from before. But I can beat just about anybody in the same realm. Or at least I hope so. Besides, having that money means I won't have to go mine for anything. A win-win if you ask me.
"A 5th layer! Ahahaha very well I'll take your money. Just try to last as long as you can." The gambler said with a face full of greed. "Easy money," he thought. "Everyone, we have a new challenger come and place your bets. The odds are 100-to-1. A 5th layer challenging a 9th layer. Come place your bets! My Xu family guarantee." he said waving his hands around.
At this time a flood of money hungry people started placing bets. Most everyone placed their bets to say I'll lose however there was one who didn't. I'll have to talk with this person later. They are either struggling to make it, really believe I can win, or are super rich. In any case I want to make friends with them.
"Brother, why did you place all the money on him? We need that money for food." A girl asked.
"I saw him before. That brother there stood up to the legendary bully trio of our sect. Don't worry He will win." the brother said.
I took the stage and looked at my opponent. They were probably 7 or 8 years old. The two of us greeted each other for a respectful match.
"Senior brother, I look forward to your pointers." I said cupping my hands.
"Junior brother is brave enough to challenge above his layer. So I will give you many pointers. I'll take the bet as payment for the lesson." He said, with cupped hands.
We got into fighting stances and began our fight. He would throw a fist and I would dodge it. Then return a punch. He would evade or catch it. Then return another. The fight was fast paced. Switching from pure martial arts to Qi infused martial arts. This point was where I started to lose ground. Only a little bit though. I hadn't been using everything at my disposal either. So I was still able to keep up well enough. Though I was being pushed back towards the outside of the ring.
"Not bad junior brother. To have lasted this long with your cultivation is impressive. But I have to ask, how long are you going to be able to hold on?" He said, continuing to press me.
I ignored this since it was better to focus on fighting instead of talking. However, gradually I began climbing in strength. I was adapting to this battle. I slowed the progress he was making until the two of us stopped just a few feet from the ring.
"No, Brother Xu push him out. Win!" The crowd went. No one wanted to lose money of course.
"Brother, you were right, this little brother is good. He could win." the girl said, excited at the prospect.
After a brief moment with the two of us continuing the fight on stage. I started to push back against this brother Xu. The rate started increasing. Until the Xu brother made a small mistake. I took advantage of and slammed him outside of the fighting stage. I won the match.
"Eh… This… this can't be… How did he win?" The gambling ref said. Rushing over to see that the brother Xu was unconscious. He was tired and used up too much energy. Guess that's the difference between a cultivator with a true body and one without. Since it's my victory I claimed my prize. The money I won from the bet was now mine. 10k silver coins and 100k spirit stones.
In one fell swoop I gained enough to purchase the materials for the lemon candy shop. I also earned enough money to buy things from the palace. It was truly a good day. I couldn't have gotten any luckier to find a Xu family member there paying me to beat him up. Now to find a shop and workers. Or perhaps I could sell the recipe to a candy vendor in the city. This way I could earn money without needing to do anything. Ah yes that seems like a better idea I'll go with that.