Chapter 411 Stuffing Herbs Like No Tomorrow
Both Nixon and Gilbert were enticed by the century–old saffron within Caspian’s hands.
Its value as a medicinal herb was incomparable.
However much enticed they were, the both of them remained silent.
“What’s wrong? Are you both scared? I can’t believe that the head elder of the TMAA and the tenth elder of Shadow Gate are both too scared to make a bet with me!” said Caspian disdainfully as he dramatically shook his head.
Nixon and Gilbert then looked at each other for a moment before Nixon stepped forward. “In that case, Caspian, we’ll make a bet with you!”
Gilbert nodded his head with satisfaction.
He surmised that if he joined forces with Nixon, they would at least be able to fight Caspian to
a tie.
Both of them had to put on a show for their subordinates behind them, or they might lose – their respect.
Caspian’s offer had given them no choice but to accept the bet.
“Very well!” Caspian nodded. “Although I wonder, what is it are you wagering against me? If you can’t present something that matches my saffron in value, then forget it!”
Now that Caspian had presented the century–old saffron, the two of them had to put up something
nilar in value.
Nixon gritted his teeth as he brought out a century–old shining Cranesbill. “This herb that’s as ancient as your saffron will be enough of a match!”
He had sacrificed hundreds of his subordinates for this herb alone.
He had also consumed a part of it to heal his injuries.
Nixon had planned to consume the entire herb when he returned to safety to enhance his powers a little.
But Caspian was now forcing him to bring it out as a wager.
Caspian nodded and replied, “It’s missing a piece, but it’s similar enough in value.”
The crowd then turned their attention to Gilbert.
Gilbert didn’t try to pull any tricks and presented a century–old lily of the valley.
“My herb is of similar rarity and value to each of yours,” explained Gilbert.
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It was the best thing he could bring to the table.
“Now that our bet is set, let us begin!” declared Caspian as he threw his saffron toward the peak of the stone stairway.
Both Nixon and Gilbert then followed suit with their own prizes.
The first to reach the peak of the Stairway to Enlightenment would be able to obtain all three. prizes at once.
Thousands of expert martial artists were drooling at the sight of the three treasures pooled atop the stone stairway.
But it would be impossible for them to obtain.
Caspian, Gilbert, and Nixon became the center of attention.
Caspian whispered to Xandros as he passed by him, “I hope you’re right about this, Stewart Senior. Or else I’m going to lose a lot.”
Mr.
The reason why Caspian dared to make the bet was because Xandros had told him about a trick to secure victory.
“Relax. Just do as I said and you won’t have a problem!” replied Xandros confidently.
Caspian could only believe in Xandros‘ words. So long as he could traverse the Stairway to Enlightenment, the Eldorian Scroll fragment would be his.
Caspian arrived in front of the stone stairway and turned to face Nixon and Gilbert. “Let’s begin!”
The two of them nodded their heads in agreement.
Three of them instantly disappeared from their spot, and their figures could be seen climbing up the stone stairway.
“Go, Caspian, go!”
“Do your best, Mr. Lynch!”
Sylvia, Aster, and the rest began cheering for Caspian as they began their race.
Shadow Gate members were also cheering for Gilbert, while the TMAA’s men cheered for their
head elder.
The shouts of encouragement filled the entire valley.
Meanwhile, other unaffiliated expert martial artists remained silent as they stared intently at the race happening on the Stairway to Enlightenment.
The current ongoing race had nothing to do with them.
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Whoever won the race would secure the Eldorian Scroll fragment for himself.
For these men, their only goal was to fight for the scroll fragment once it finally appeared.
The ongoing race atop the stone stairways was intense.
Caspian was in the lead as he was the strongest among the three.
Gilbert was following behind him, and the injured Nixon was last.
Both Nixon and Gilbert began to panic as they watched Caspian move ahead of them.
The Stairway to Enlightenment consisted of exactly 101 steps. And when all three of them reached the halfway point, their speed significantly dropped.
They could feel an immense pressure emanating from the peak that weighed down on their bodies.
Caspian maintained his speed even though he started panting for air.
The Stairway to Enlightenment was mysterious, indeed.
It would’ve been impossible for Caspian to make it this far if not for his superior physique.”
Fortunately for him, Caspian had only used up 50% of his strength at this point.
Gilbert and Nixon, however, weren’t so lucky.
Both of them found it difficult to scale the stone stairway.
And Caspian had now expanded his lead by at least ten steps.
The both of them had thought they would’ve been on par with Caspian’s strength, or at the very least, they wouldn’t be too far behind.
If they knew that Caspian had only used 50% of his power, they would be scared out of their
wits.
Gilbert had already used 90% of his power to barely keep up.
Nixon, at the back, had already used up all his strength as his legs began to tremble.
At this pace, he would be the first to drop out of the race.
He was unwilling to be the first to drop out as he would become the subject of ridicule for all the spectators.
Nixon gritted his teeth and pulled out some herbs from his pocket. He stuffed them into his
mouth.
He had wanted to save them for later along with his treasured Cranesbill, but he had no other choice at this moment.
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He had to consume them now, or he would be out of the race.
Nixon felt a current of warmth flow through his entire b*dy after consuming the herbs.
He took a few deep breaths as his b*dy gradually regained its strength.
“Hahaha!” Sylvia laughed out loud at both the TMAA and Shadow Gate with contempt. “So they’re the elders of the TMAA and Shadow Gate? They look so pitiful! Caspian will definitely be the first to reach the top!”
Horace and Fabian gritted their teeth with anger after hearing Sylvia’s provocative comment.
To their dismay, Sylvia was simply stating the truth.
Caspian remained in the lead, while Nixon and Gilbert had noticeably slowed down.
Xandros smiled as he watched the race unfold.
Caspian’s strength had exceeded his expectations. He realized that Caspian would’ve been able to win the race even without employing the tricks he had told him.
Xandros marveled at the fact that Caspian was only in his 20s and that he would still have a bright future ahead of him.
Caspian continued his journey upward and reached the 80th step.
He began to slow down at this point as every step was becoming heavier and heavier.
Caspian had already used 70% of his power.
He felt as if he was carrying a huge mountain on his back.
An ordinary person would have their bones crushed from the immense pressure alone.
Meanwhile, Nixon was far behind the other two.
Gilbert gritted his teeth as he carried on upward, but he was also visibly reaching his limit.
He didn’t want to lose just like this either.
He stuffed some herbs into his mouth without any hesitation.
The distance between Gilbert and Caspian was a dozen steps away.
Gilbert felt a tinge of despair bubbling in his heart.
Just how powerful was Caspian to be able to go on?
The next moment, Caspian turned around to look at Gilbert and smiled at him deviously.
