Chapter 73

Putting the more than three hundred yuan earned from selling the mountain chicken eggs into his pocket, Wang Xiaoqiang walked out of the farmers' market. To the left of the market's exit, under a large locust tree, a crowd of people was gathered in layers, occasionally shouting excitedly: "Bite it, bite it to death..."

"Go on, Big Steel Tooth, go on... knock it down..."

"Ahaha... my Big Steel Tooth has won again, quickly, quickly, hand over the money..." In the middle of the crowd, a short and fat middle-aged man sitting on a small stool laughed triumphantly.

Hearing this, how could Wang Xiaoqiang not know they were fighting crickets?

Fighting crickets was a very ancient form of entertainment in the area. Generally, male crickets were used, and the two insects would battle it out. The losing side would either flee or be killed on the spot. The large locust tree at the farmers' market exit was one of the main venues for cricket fighting. However, it seemed that this group was not just seeking entertainment but also gambling.

The mountain chicken eggs had been sold smoothly, and Wang Xiaoqiang was in a great mood. He felt like joining in the fun. As he scanned the crowd, he saw several people carrying small bamboo cages, from which came the rustling sounds of crickets chirping.

Wang Xiaoqiang knew these were people selling crickets. He approached one of the middle-aged fat men and pointed to a small cage in his hand containing a cricket: "Boss, how much for this cricket?"

"Ah, young man, you have good eyes. Look at this cricket with its green head and red antennae, and its golden wings. This is the latest variety, 'Golden Clasp'!" The cricket seller, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang's rustic appearance and assuming he was not a cricket expert, began to exaggerate the qualities of his cricket, though he was mostly making it up...

"Young man, you look like a straightforward person, so I won't overcharge you. This cricket is 100 yuan. If you like it, take it!"

If one knew about crickets, they would know that the variety he described was actually the worst type, the "Dog Fly Yellow." These crickets were commonly found in fields and had a dull appearance and weak fighting ability. After exposure to dew, their wings turned a golden color, and their chirping became louder. However, they were still considered the lowest grade in cricket fighting, often used as cannon fodder.

As for the price, Dog Fly Yellows usually cost six yuan each.

Although Wang Xiaoqiang was not very knowledgeable about crickets, he knew about Dog Fly Yellows. They were what people at home called "field crickets." He would not be fooled by the seller's trick and laughed coldly: "Boss, do you think I'm stupid? These Dog Fly Yellows are everywhere in my fields. You want 100 yuan? Fine, how about this: I'll catch a hundred of them tomorrow and sell them to you for fifty yuan each. Interested?"

The seller did not expect Wang Xiaoqiang to see through him so quickly and blushed, his face turning red. He awkwardly pursed his lips: "Ten yuan each, no less."

"Five yuan, not a cent more!" Wang Xiaoqiang said firmly.

"Alright, I'll consider it a favor to you, little brother. I'll sell it to you at a loss today." The cricket seller handed the cage with the Dog Fly Yellow to Wang Xiaoqiang.

He was puzzled. If the young man knew it was a Dog Fly Yellow, why would he still buy it? Was he planning to use it in a cricket fight? That would be a sure way to lose money and face.

Wang Xiaoqiang paid the five yuan, took the Dog Fly Yellow, and walked to a secluded spot. He inserted his index finger into the cage and infused some wood elemental spirit energy into the cricket's body. Then he injected some metal elemental spirit energy into its mouth and teeth. He then walked into the crowd of cricket fighters.

The Dog Fly Yellow in his cage, after being nourished by the spirit energy, transformed from a dull and clumsy insect into a lively and sharp one. Its temper seemed to have increased significantly, and it began to jump around in the cage, as if trying to break free. The teeth, infused with metal elemental spirit energy, now gleamed with a sharp, almost invisible white luster.

As he entered the crowd, another person had just been defeated and angrily left the circle, having been beaten by the "Big Steel Tooth" again.

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced over and saw a large gray ceramic jar, about the size of a foot basin, in front of the middle-aged fat man. In the center of the jar, a fierce-looking cricket squatted. It had a dark blue body with a hint of purple, a head like black jade, and two prominent black teeth that were as sharp as blades, comparable to the mandibles of a stag beetle in summer. It was clearly a high-quality cricket, and it was currently in a fierce and aggressive state.

No wonder it had won so many times; it was a freak of nature.

The "Big Steel Tooth" was so powerful that after several consecutive victories, no one dared to challenge it.

The middle-aged fat man looked around with a smug expression. Seeing no one willing to step up, he was about to pack up and leave.

"I'll give it a try!"

Wang Xiaoqiang plopped down on the small stool opposite the middle-aged fat man and placed the cage with the Dog Fly Yellow in front of everyone.

The middle-aged fat man sized up Wang Xiaoqiang, glanced at his Dog Fly Yellow, and sneered. Just as he was about to speak, the crowd burst into laughter.

"Ahaha~~~ This is the first time I've seen someone use a Dog Fly Yellow to challenge Big Steel Tooth!"

"Dog Fly Yellows are trash, not even worth a single bite from Big Steel Tooth..."

"They're not even in the same league, just cannon fodder. Do you have too much money? Using a Dog Fly Yellow to lose!"

The middle-aged fat man thought Wang Xiaoqiang was joking, but seeing his serious expression, he realized he was serious.

"Alright, since someone is willing to give me money, I won't turn it down. Haha~~~" The middle-aged fat man laughed triumphantly.

"Don't be too happy yet, who wins and who loses is still uncertain..." Wang Xiaoqiang smiled coldly, looking very confident.

"Please..." The middle-aged fat man frowned slightly and called out. The crowd began placing bets, all of them betting on "Big Steel Tooth" to win.

Fighting a Dog Fly Yellow against Big Steel Tooth was like using an egg to hit a stone, a sure loss. Such a sure bet, not betting on "Big Steel Tooth" would be foolish!

Wang Xiaoqiang smiled slightly, opened the bamboo cage, and placed his Dog Fly Yellow into the ceramic jar!

Chirp chirp chirp!

The Dog Fly Yellow, already agitated, jumped out of the cage and into the arena, surprising everyone.

When the Dog Fly Yellow landed, it stood on its hind legs, almost like a human, and its golden wings chirped loudly!

Is this thing possessed!?

Everyone was stunned, staring at the Dog Fly Yellow standing upright in the ceramic jar.