**Chapter 38: Controversy and Bets**
The tension in the arena was palpable as the names of the remaining 29 Law Realm experts, including Gu Chang and Jiang Meijer, were announced as the qualifiers for the next stage of the competition. However, when Denny Cing's name was called, it was as if a thunderclap had struck the arena.
Gu Chang couldn't contain his fury any longer and shouted, "How can a mere War Realm expert advance to this stage? This is absurd!" His voice echoed with anger and disbelief, mirroring the sentiments of many in the audience.
The crowd erupted into a chorus of bewilderment and dissatisfaction. Spectators from various sects voiced their demands for an explanation. They had expected a fair and challenging competition, and Denny Cing's unexpected presence had thrown them into disarray.
The announcer, a representative of the imperial family overseeing the competition, turned to look in the direction of the Bull Fight Sects. "Why was he prevented from fighting in the previous round? If he's not qualified, simply admit defeat, and we can remove him from the list."
Sect Master Liu Cung of the Bull Fight Sects couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh. "Qualified? He is more than qualified," he retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The laughter of other sects followed, mocking the audacity of Liu Cung's claim. The Ghost Skull Sect's Sect Master seized the opportunity and chimed in, "How about this, Sect Master Liu Cung? Let's make things interesting. If your disciple wins against ours, the coveted business area we've been fighting over for years will be yours."
The proposal sent murmurs through the crowd. It was a high-stakes bet, one that would not only decide the fate of the business area but also provide an answer to the controversy surrounding Denny Cing's advancement.
Sect Master Liu Cung's eyes gleamed with determination. "Agreed," he declared, accepting the challenge. The wager was set, and the next battles promised to be more than just a test of strength; they would determine the fate of longstanding rivalries and perhaps answer the burning question of how Denny Cing, a War Realm expert, had come this far in the competition.