Immortality Starts From Making Money.

Chapter 382: The Strong Undercurrent.

The following day, news of the match between the Fu Clan Team and the Red Serpent Gang Team spread throughout the entire city.

Thanks to the growing popularity of football, even those who had once dismissed the sport as a trivial pastime had gradually become captivated by it.

In taverns, tea houses, and restaurants across the city, copies of The Times Newspaper could be seen in the hands of almost every customer.

Everyone wanted to stay informed.

After all, football had quickly become the most exciting topic in the city.

Inside one lively tavern, a sudden shout broke through the noise of conversation.

"What?! The Blood River Gang has challenged the powerful noble clans to a football match?"

The exclamation immediately attracted the attention of everyone nearby.

"Is that true?" someone asked in disbelief.

"Of course it’s true!" the figure replied while waving the newspaper in his hand. "Look at the third page. The news is written right there."

Hearing this, those who were already holding copies of The Times Newspaper hurriedly turned to the third page.

A few second later, stunned expressions appeared on their faces.

There it was.

A bold headline clearly stated that the Blood River Gang had openly challenged the noble clans of the city to a football match.

According to the article, the leader of the Blood River Gang had gone so far as to mock the noble clans publicly.

He claimed that without their overwhelming cultivation strength, they were nothing more that could not compared to ordinary mortals.

To prove his point, he had boldly invited any noble clan to face his team on the football field.

The moment the readers finished the article, the entire tavern erupted with shocked reactions.

"What kind of madness is this?" someone muttered.

A woman sitting near the counter stared at the newspaper with wide eyes.

"Is the Blood River Gang’s boss crazy?" she asked in disbelief.

Everyone in the city knew how powerful and domineering the noble clans were.

They controlled enormous resources, commanded powerful cultivators, and had ruled the inner districts for generations.

Yet now, a mere gang leader from the lower ranks was daring to challenge them openly.

Was he tired of living?

Although many people were shocked by the audacity of the Blood River Gang leader, a different emotion soon replaced their disbelief.

Excitement.

If the noble clans accepted the challenge, it would create an unprecedented spectacle.

Many people could hardly wait to see how the noble clans would respond.

Meanwhile, inside the headquarters of the Wolf Skull Gang, a completely different atmosphere prevailed.

The Wolf Skull Gang’s leader stood silently beside a large window, staring down at the bustling street outside.

His expression was calm but solemn.

Behind him stood a middle-aged man, the gang leader’s trusted right-hand subordinate.

"Leader, are you worried about our upcoming match?" the man asked with a puzzled expression.

The previous day’s game between the Fu Clan Team and the Red Serpent Gang Team had ended in a draw.

The final score had been 0–0.

Although neither side had managed to score, the match had still been incredibly intense and exciting.

For the Red Serpent Gang, simply managing to hold their ground against the Fu Clan had already preserved their prestige.

However, that result had also placed tremendous pressure on the Wolf Skull Gang.

If the Wolf Skull Gang lost their own upcoming match, it would mean they were weaker than the Red Serpent Gang.

Naturally, the gang members were feeling anxious.

But the Wolf Skull leader slowly shook his head.

"I’m not worried about that," he said.

He paused briefly, thinking carefully before continuing.

"I’m worried about the game being played by the people behind football itself."

His tone carried a quiet seriousness.

The middle-aged man fell silent.

As the leader’s closest confidant, he knew how perceptive and cautious the Wolf Skull boss was.

If the boss had noticed something unusual, then something significant was likely happening behind the scenes.

"Have you read today’s newspaper?" the boss asked.

The middle-aged man shook his head.

"No," he admitted. "I’ve been too busy training the team to pay attention to gossip."

Without saying another word, the gang leader tossed a folded newspaper toward him.

"Turn to the third page."

The man caught the paper quickly and opened it.

The moment his eyes landed on the article, his jaw dropped.

"What?!" he shouted.

"How is this possible?"

His voice rose in shock.

"Is that stupid kid crazy?" he exclaimed.

The kid he referred to was the Blood River Gang leader.

In the eyes of powerful gangs like the Wolf Skull Gang, the Blood River Gang was insignificant, nothing more than a minor gang that could be crushed at any moment.

Furthermore, their leader was far younger than most of the established gang bosses.

To them, he was little more than an inexperienced brat.

The Wolf Skull leader watched his subordinate quietly without speaking.

After a moment, the middle-aged man gradually regained his composure.

"Boss... this is bad," he said grimly.

"This situation is not good for us."

He understood the implications immediately.

The noble clans were notoriously overbearing.

If they decided to participate in football, everything would change.

Until now, the various gangs and smaller clans had hoped to use football as a way to build fame and expand their influence.

Winning matches brought prestige.

Prestige brought followers.

And followers brought power.

But if the noble clans entered the competition, the situation would be completely different.

Those ancient families possessed overwhelming resources.

They could easily dominate the game and use the smaller gangs as stepping stones to enhance their own reputation.

The Wolf Skull leader remained silent for a moment.

Then he asked calmly,

"Do you really think the Blood River kid would make such a foolish mistake?"

The middle-aged man frowned.

"What do you mean?"

The boss folded his arms.

"Even if that kid had ten lives," he said slowly, "do you think he would dare challenge the noble clans directly?"

The subordinate narrowed his eyes.

That was indeed a good question.

No matter how arrogant someone was, they would never provoke the noble clans without a reason.

Not unless they were seeking death.

Suddenly, a look of realization appeared on his face.

"Boss... are you suggesting..."

"Yes," the Wolf Skull leader interrupted quietly.

"I believe this is the work of the people behind football."

"What?" the man exclaimed.

The boss sighed softly and shook his head.

"What I cannot understand," he said thoughtfully, "is why they would do something so dangerous."

Their football game was already incredibly successful.

The arenas were packed.

The newspapers were spreading rapidly.

The Game Replay Crystals were selling everywhere.

Why would they deliberately provoke the noble clans and create unnecessary trouble for themselves?

Just then, rapid footsteps echoed from outside the room.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A frantic knocking sound followed immediately.

The two men exchanged glances.

The boss raised his hand.

"Enter."

Whoosh!

The door swung open, and a young subordinate rushed inside, breathing heavily.

"Boss!" he exclaimed urgently.

"A strange new artifact has appeared in the market!"

As he spoke, he opened his spatial pouch and carefully removed a glowing object.

It was a Moon Orb.

The moment the Wolf Skull leader and his subordinate saw it, their eyes widened in surprise.

"Where did you get this?" the Wolf Skull leader demanded impatiently.