chapter 22 Blackmail ===

The power of language is no less than that of weapons. It can destroy a person's mentality, bring down a mighty entity, and kill not only the body but also the spirit. To kill someone, you can strike at their heart—no more, no less. "Don't agree!" Valerrie Xu bit her lips, her voice very low, audible only to the two of them. The worry in her beautiful eyes touched Verdantius Liu. "Young master Liu, how about your consideration? As long as you publicly admit to being afraid, I won't insist," Althaeus Wan said, opening the fan in his hand. His eyes harbored a fierce killing intent. "Althaeus Wan, you might be disappointed." Valerrie Xu's concern made him change his mind. It was time to stop. As an Immortal Emperor, he never cared about how others discussed him. He didn't want Valerrie Xu to worry about him any longer; that was all. "As long as you are willing to participate in the Beast-Taming Competition, I'm willing to bet another hundred spirit stones with you. If you can persist for the duration of a stick of incense, the hundred spirit stones will be yours." Leafaris Xue, who had been silent until now, stood up. He poured out everything from his storage bag—aside from a considerable number of spirit stones, there was also a spiritual weapon of considerable value. The grade of these spirit stones was even higher than the previous ones, evoking envy from the onlookers. A hundred spirit stones, worth ten million gold coins, was an irresistible temptation. As long as one could endure for the duration of a stick of incense, it would be his. Verdantius Liu, who was about to leave with Valerrie Xu, suddenly stopped. A hundred spirit stones—it was indeed crazy. "Do you have any interest in making a bet between us? If you don't agree, I'll immediately have someone eliminate the Xu family tomorrow. Tutor Sylvion Baili cares about Miss Xu's talent, not the Xu family. Consider it carefully. The fate of the Xu family is in your hands." A cold threat, devoid of any emotion, extinguishing the Xu family was effortless for him. Even if Sylvion Baili blamed him, what could he do? Would he go against the Xue family for unrelated parties? Valerrie Xu clenched her delicate fists, trembling with anger. Being threatened to destroy the Xu family in front of so many people, she wanted to speak but was restrained by Verdantius Liu. In such a situation, if she spoke, she would undoubtedly face more mockery. ! "Very well, you have successfully provoked me, and I agree to your conditions. However, you do not realize that today's conversation has planted endless troubles for the Xue family. Within a year, if the Xue family is not destroyed, I will choose to end my own life." Valerrie Xu said. Swearing before everyone, vowing to destroy the Xue family within a year, how domineering. Valerrie Xu's beautiful eyes showed shock. Leafaris Xue's eyes flashed with terrifying killing intent. He wanted to rush up and kill Verdantius Liu immediately. Anyone else speaking to him like this would already be a corpse. Valerrie Xu, as a disciple of Sylvion Baili, was a factor he had to consider. No one believed Verdantius Liu's oath, regarding it as a joke. Openly provoking the Xue family like this was courting death. Walking toward the arena, Verdantius Liu left behind a lonely and desolate figure. Amidst more than ten thousand gazes, he descended step by step along the suspension bridge. "Brother Xue, rest assured. I've arranged everything. Once he steps onto the stage, there will be no place for him to bury himself." Althaeus Wan didn't expect that Leafaris Xue would bring out a hundred spirit stones, forcing Verdantius Liu to agree. Melancholy! Sorrowful! And an indescribable majestic aura. At this moment, they felt an illusion—was this the legendary waste? After three beast battles, the arena was strewn with flesh and blood, and a pungent smell of blood lingered. Any ordinary person would be frightened by the scene. However, Verdantius Liu walked calmly to the center of the arena. Countless eyes were fixed on Verdantius Liu's back as he walked down the suspension bridge. Excitement, mockery, and roars filled the air. Every person's expression vividly portrayed their emotions. "Summon the demonic beast!" At the command of the old host, the barrier opened, and a beast tamer drove out a massive demonic beast. Standing at three meters tall, it made a thunderous noise as it walked, like an earthquake. "This is... This is the Fierce tiger!" A buzzing sound spread throughout the arena. The appearance of this formidable demonic beast overturned their expectations. Perhaps only someone with the talent of an acquired spirit could contend with such a powerful creature. The moment it appeared, it let out a terrifying roar that made the low-level warriors bleed from their seven orifices due to the pressure. A powerful wave of energy swept over, and before its massive body even arrived, the stimulation of fresh blood made its wild nature erupt as it charged toward the arena. "A first-grade fifth-level demonic beast, the Fierce tiger. Although it has a large body, its combat power is average. Be careful, Young master Liu." The host held a loudspeaker, transmitting his words to every corner. A first-grade fifth-level demonic beast wasn't too high in the realm, roughly equivalent to a human in the late stages of the innate realm. For an ordinary person, this might be fine, but Verdantius Liu was a renowned waste, and his cultivation was considered trash. The Fierce tiger stepped onto the arena, exhaling a white mist. It had been hungry for several days, and the demonic energy in its eyes condensed into a tangible form. "Althaeus Wan, if anything happens to him, I'll kill you." Valerrie Xu whispered; Verdantius Liu only stepped onto the arena to protect the Xu family and fell into Althaeus Wan's scheming. One man, one beast, eyes locked. A short knife was inserted at his waist, wrapped in red cloth, hiding its true appearance. "Look, the beast tamer left!" A cry of surprise came from the crowd. The departure of the beast tamer meant that the Fierce tiger gained the freedom to unleash its full power without any restraint. "Isn't this tantamount to sending him to his death? Without the beast tamer by its side, this kid is undoubtedly dead." Althaeus Wan's plot was revealed. After releasing the demonic beast, the beast tamer quietly left, leaving the life and death of Verdantius Liu to fate. "Boom!" Suddenly, a massive iron cage rose from around the arena, covering the entire platform like a prison. "This..." People were stunned. Regardless of whether it was for Verdantius Liu or to prevent the Fierce tiger from rushing out and harming innocent people, it was not targeting Verdantius Liu specifically. As long as Verdantius Liu voluntarily admitted defeat, they would open the cage immediately. This explanation was unlikely to be believed by anyone present. To prevent harm to innocent people, they could harm Verdantius Liu? A fight between trapped creatures! A real fight between trapped creatures—only one could survive. One man and one beast were trapped in the cage, and only one side would walk out alive. Verdantius Liu smiled. His gaze swept over the faces of everyone from the Wan family, firmly imprinting their ugly expressions in his mind. When he broke through to the acquired spirit realm, he would start with the Wan family, making them live in fear every day. In the end, it was because he was too weak now, allowing the Wan family to bully him. Valerrie Xu, alone, shouted herself hoarse, drowned out by the surrounding crowd. "Master Hou, should we stop him?" Arboreus Lei couldn't bear to watch. The Wan family's actions crossed the minimum bottom line, sacrificing Verdantius Liu to achieve their goals. "Not in a hurry. Didn't you say he sent Dorothy Zhou flying with a slap?" Master Hou showed a faint smile. Easily sending Dorothy Zhou flying with a slap indicated strength of at least late innate sixth or seventh level. The Fierce tiger wanting to kill him wouldn't be so easy. " If he has any unexpected incidents., what about our cooperation? Once such excellent elixirs are produced, Pill Treasure cockloft will attract the attention of the Imperial City, and we will have the opportunity to be transferred to the Imperial City." Arboreus Lei cared more about this. The Imperial City was their ultimate goal; the scale of Canglan City was too small. "Let's just watch quietly. Winning three consecutive beast battles, messing with the Wan family; do you think he will die easily?" Master Hou waved his hand. He hadn't intervened because he believed in Verdantius Liu. From him, Master Hou sensed a mysterious power that couldn't be ignored. "Dad, he's my good buddy. Please save him!" Ivydan Song ran over, asking his father to prevent the farce. After spending an hour together, he already treated Verdantius Liu like a real brother. "Take him down." The Song family's patriarch looked somewhat embarrassed. Was it worth offending the Wan family for the sake of the Xu family's son-in-law? The Wan family was now ingratiating themselves with the Xue family in the Imperial City, and it seemed they might surpass the Song family. At this crucial moment, it was not wise to openly oppose them. No one stepped forward to stop it. The warriors in the stands cheered excitedly. Beast fights weren't that interesting; the real visual impact came from the battles between humans and beasts. "Fierce tiger, quickly go up and eat him!" A disciple from the Tian family shouted loudly, urging the Fierce tiger to charge forward. Countless people joined in the uproar. The Fierce tiger's body suddenly swelled, now much taller than before. "Roar..." The Fierce tiger roared furiously, its hooves pounding as it rushed toward Verdantius Liu, making the entire arena rumble. Hearts were in throats. Faced with the over three-meter-tall Fierce tiger, did Verdantius Liu stand a chance? Many people covered their eyes, unable to bear witnessing Verdantius Liu being devoured by the Fierce tiger. It was certain that the outcome would be brutal, with blood flowing freely. Drawing closer, less than ten meters away from Verdantius Liu, there was no room for retreat. Behind him was an iron cage made of stainless steel. There was no way to jump off the stage; only battle remained. It was either the death of the Fierce tiger or his own death. There was no other possibility. Everyone held their breath. Only the thunderous sound of the Fierce tiger's charge echoed through the entire beast-fighting arena. Valerrie Xu bit her lips, blood streaming down her chin, feeling no pain. The suffocating aura of the Fierce tiger rushed forward. It opened its bloodied jaws wide enough to swallow an adult whole. Leafaris Xue revealed a smirk. With Verdantius Liu's death, relying on the Xue family's position, he could exert pressure on the Xu family. This woman would then be easy prey, obediently becoming his. "Is he insane? Quickly dodge!" The Fierce tiger was now within three meters of Verdantius Liu. Even if he couldn't match its level, he could evade for a while, survive, and maybe concede directly. Amid countless eyes watching, the Fierce tiger opened its massive jaws, ready to bite Verdantius Liu's head off. If it bit him, his body would be torn apart. Althaeus Wan laughed! Oakenhart Tian laughed! Members of the Wan family celebrated, while those from the Tian family shouted. The worthless guy was finally going to die. Yet, at that moment, the Fierce tiger suddenly stopped, crouching down at Verdantius Liu's feet like a gentle cat.