First was the draw for the groupings.

Zhang Bin was drawn into the first group.

So, he and twenty-nine other gambling experts headed to the large roulette wheel. The audience could now see these thirty contestants, and the towering screen in the air displayed the list for the first group.

The commentator began to introduce all the players with great enthusiasm.

"This is truly a 'Group of Death,' as it's comprised of Kings of Gamblers from several countries. They are Changdao Sheng, the Island Nation King of Gamblers; Ma Dan, the French King of Gamblers; and Francis, the Italian King of Gamblers. These three are all renowned Kings of Gamblers, but alas, only two of them can advance. This is just too cruel..."

The rest of the players were outright ignored, and as for Zhang Bin, a complete nobody, he wasn't even mentioned.

The named players naturally waved to the audience in acknowledgment.

"This is terrible. Zhang Bin's luck is awful this time, running into several Kings of Gamblers. He's bound to lose now. Thank goodness I only bet ten thousand USD," Betty said gloomily.

"Then we've lost fifty thousand USD. What terrible luck." Elsa and Marian also looked anxious and dismayed.

It wasn't just the three of them; Ma Rufei and Chen Chaoyue were so anxious they were practically jumping out of their skin. They had bet even more—a whopping one million USD. If it had been in the past, they wouldn't have cared about a million USD, but things were different now. All their money had been loaned to Zhang Bin, so a million was a huge amount.

Many countries had purchased the television broadcasting rights for this World Gambling Championship. China was no exception. The sports channel was broadcasting the event live.

Many viewers were surprised to find a Chinese contestant among the participants named Zhang Bin. However, since Zhang Bin had altered his appearance, they naturally couldn't recognize him. Even so, they erupted with tremendous enthusiasm. Many viewers even shouted excitedly, "Go, Zhang Bin! Go, Zhang Bin!"

Meanwhile, in Sanchahe Village, nearly all the villagers had gathered under the big banyan tree to watch television. The TV, of course, belonged to Zhang Bin's family and had been brought out at Mother Zhang's request. How could Mother Zhang possibly miss such a perfect opportunity to show off?

At this moment, Mother Zhang and Mother Cheng were sitting right in the center, surrounded by villagers who enjoyed listening to her tall tales. Xiao Fang, Liu Ruolan, and Liu Ruomei were also there, sitting off to one side, watching the live broadcast with worried expressions. Father Zhang and a few village elders sat behind them, smoking and watching.

Mother Zhang's excited voice drowned out the commentary from Xie Bing, the announcer from China's sports channel.

"Don't mind all those so-called Kings of Gamblers! That Changdao Sheng from the Island Nation, Ma Dan from France, Francis from Italy... they may have been impressive and imposing in their day, but now that they're facing my son Xiao Bin, they're in for a miserable time! Changdao Sheng will soon know only defeat, Ma Dan will be dead in the water, and Francis will be finished!" Mother Zhang boasted triumphantly.

"Hahaha..."

Hearing Mother Zhang's entertaining speech, the villagers all burst into laughter. Some even shouted fervently.

"Xiao Bin will win for sure!"

"The title of King of Gamblers belongs to Xiao Bin, and no one can take it away!"

"Xiao Bin will sweep them all and bring glory to our country!"

"..."

Liu Ruolan, Liu Ruomei, and Xiao Fang were also amused, giggling and shaking with laughter.

"ROAR..."

Da Huang also ran over to watch the TV, roaring with excitement.

"WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!"

Big Fatty and Second Fatty also barked excitedly at the image of Zhang Bin on the television, nearly bursting the villagers' eardrums.

Through Tutu's surveillance, Zhang Bin naturally knew the situation back in Sanchahe Village. So, he smiled at the camera, made a victory sign, and shouted, "I am the King of Gamblers, Zhang Bin! I'm invincible and unbeatable, so rest assured. The title of World King of Gamblers is mine!"

"Xiao Bin! Xiao Bin is talking to us! He said the title of World King of Gamblers is his!"

All the villagers were so excited they nearly fainted, shouting and cheering for Zhang Bin with feverish enthusiasm.

But the scene at the venue was very different.

Many spectators shouted in confusion, "What is that contestant from China saying?"

The American commentator had no choice but to focus the camera on Zhang Bin. He said with disdain, "This is the contestant from China, Zhang Bin, who has no track record to speak of. But what did he just say? My God, he said the title of World King of Gamblers is his! What an arrogant and conceited young man."

"Arrogant, egotistical, simply delusional!"

"Idiot! Moron! Bastard!"

The audience at the venue erupted in curses. Of course, the Chinese spectators didn't curse; instead, they cheered excitedly.

"Zhang Bin, World King of Gamblers! Zhang Bin, World King of Gamblers!"

"Zhang Bin, we support you!"

"..."

"Hehe, Zhang Bin is confident! We're going to get rich!" Ma Rufei and Chen Chaoyue's worries largely vanished as they laughed heartily.

"Isn't he too arrogant? Does having a big dick really make you this arrogant?" Batty and his companions were dumbfounded, staring at Zhang Bin as if he were some kind of monster.

The other contestants in his group also glared angrily at Zhang Bin.

The King of Gamblers from the Island Nation, Changdao Sheng, even walked up to Zhang Bin and said with scorn, "Idiot! That's a big claim. Aren't you afraid you'll bite your tongue? Let me tell you, you'll be eliminated in this round. I will crush you ruthlessly."

Zhang Bin was furious. He had never had any fondness for men from the Island Nation. During his last visit there for the Heroes Auction, he had been targeted by the super-powerful expert Tanikawa and later chased by countless Golden Core Realm Experts from the Island Nation. If he hadn't had a few tricks up his sleeve, he would have been killed long ago. This was a deep-seated hatred he was determined to avenge. Once he reached the Golden Core Realm, he would return and exterminate Tanikawa. Now that this King of Gamblers from the Island Nation dared to be so rude and arrogant in front of him, how could he not strike back? How could he not give the man an unforgettable lesson?

"Moron, how about we make a bet?" Zhang Bin flashed a wicked grin. "Let's bet on who wins more in this round. The loser has to lick the winner's leather shoes clean."

Today, he was wearing a pair of black leather shoes that had once been shiny and bright. But there were so many people here that upon entering, his shoes had been stepped on countless times, leaving them covered in black and yellow footprints. He thought they looked unsightly. If I win the title of World King of Gamblers, these shoes won't match my glorious image at all. But if I get the King of Gamblers from the Island Nation to lick them clean with his tongue, then the image problem will be solved.

Changdao Sheng was stunned for a moment, then a ferocious smile spread across his face. He said excitedly, "Did everyone hear that? This fool from China wants to make a bet with me about licking shoes! Would anyone care to be an official witness?"

He spoke in English, his voice deliberately loud so that the commentator—and by extension, the entire world—would hear him. That way, when Zhang Bin inevitably lost and had to lick his shoes, it would be broadcast live for the whole world to see.

What a wonderful thought that was.

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