Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 17 - Beast Battle

This incident was full of twists and turns. Initially, the Tian and Wan Clans mocked Liu Wuxie. However, the Treasure Pill Pavilion came to his aid, but they were forced to back off by Xue Yu. All of these events were triggered by one individual—Liu Wuxie!

Everyone thought the matter was settled when Xue Yu intervened. After all, the Xu Clan was insignificant compared to the Xue Clan.

However, at the last moment, Xu Lingxue stood up and slammed a medal on the table. It bore the image of a nine-legged bird representing the Imperial Academy. This wasn’t something that anyone could forge.

“The Imperial Academy admitted Xu Lingxue and Baili Qing took her in as her disciple?!” The crowd exploded into an uproar. The Imperial Academy was the most prestigious institution in the Great Yan Dynasty, gathering elites from all over the country. Only a limited number of students were accepted every year. With several months until the next recruitment, where did Xu Lingxue’s medal come from?

Baili Qing was famous in the Great Yan Dynasty as one of the three Vice-Headmasters of the Imperial Academy. As her disciple, Xu Lingxue would definitely rise and become a great figure. Gaining admission to the Imperial Academy was a highly esteemed achievement and a lifelong aspiration for many individuals.

A trace of astonishment appeared on Liu Wuxie’s face because he had no idea Xu Lingxue had joined the Imperial Academy.

The sound of heavy breathing filled the surroundings as everyone dreamed of becoming a disciple of the Imperial Academy. However, the rigorous assessment process eliminated countless talented individuals each year, as only the very best were accepted.

Xue Yu’s expression shifted from shock to surprise as he realized, “So you’re the new disciple of Vice-Headmaster Baili.” Rumors of Baili Qing taking on a new disciple had circulated throughout the imperial capital, but no one knew who it was until now.

After all, there was precedent for someone to be taken in as a Vice-Headmaster’s disciple without undergoing the assessment. However, these were exceptional cases of monstrous geniuses who had been awarded the Imperial Academy’s medal in advance.

Baili Qing was prideful, and only a few people could catch her attention— it seemed that Xu Lingxue was one of them.

“I apologize for my actions; please don’t take it to heart. Coincidentally, I’m also admitted to the Imperial Academy, and we will become fellow students in the future.” Xue Yu immediately changed his attitude, taking out a medal of the Imperial Academy from his chest, which was the same as Xu Lingxue’s medal.

Xue Yu regained his composure, realizing that he would have ample opportunities to get closer to Xu Lingxue at the Imperial Academy. However, Wan Butong and Tian Yequan were visibly displeased, and their animosity towards Liu Wuxie intensified.

No one expected this farce to end in this manner, including Master Huo. There was a hint of respect in his eyes when he looked at Xu Lingxue.

The disciples of the Wan Clan and Tian Clan returned to their seats while the fatty from the Song Clan openly sat beside Liu Wuxie.

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“Thank you for speaking up for me earlier,” Liu Wuxie said with a smile. He was surprised that the fatty would stand up for him, which also meant that such a person was worth making friends with.

“I didn’t do much. It’s Big Sister Xu who’s truly impressive for becoming a student of the Imperial Academy. Don’t forget about me when you soar to new heights in the future, Big Sister Xu!” Song Ling was friendly and soon chatted happily with Liu Wuxie and Xu Lingxue.

The Xu Clan had a relatively close relationship with the Song Clan. Xu Lingxue and Song Ling had met several times and treated each other as siblings.

A loud roar from the arena interrupted everyone, signaling the start of the beast battle. Xue Yu continued to chat with Tian Yequan and Wan Butong, occasionally glancing over at the Xu Clan’s table.

“Young Master Liu, come and sit with us. The view is better from there!” Master Huo came over. His seat was close to Xue Yu, and one table still remained unoccupied in their seating area.

“No need. I’m fine sitting here.” Liu Wuxie declined the offer and remained seated. He wasn’t particularly interested in the Hundred Beast Gathering.

At the last moment, the patriarchs of the Wan Clan, Song Clan, and Tian Clan walked in together. They sat at the table beside Master Huo, and with that, all the tables were filled.

The colosseum resembled a massive cage. From their vantage point, they could see the numerous arenas below. An old man stood in the central arena with a loudspeaker in his hand. “I welcome everyone to participate in the Hundred Beast Gathering held by our Wan Clan. As usual, we will have two segments, Beast Battle and Beast Taming!”

In the Beast Battle segment, two demonic beasts would be pitted against each other in the arena. The last one standing would be declared the winner. These battles were often savage and bloody. For martial cultivators, witnessing such violence could help them develop a stronger psychological fortitude, enabling them to remain calm in the face of danger.

But Beast Taming was different. In this segment, one would have to tame or subdue demonic beasts as a form of training. The Wan Clan was the wealthiest of the four big clans because of their booming business of providing demonic beasts for cultivators to train.

After all, it was risky to go into the mountains to hunt demonic beasts, and one might lose their life if they weren’t lucky. But this was not the case in the colosseum, and it offered a unique training experience. It could simulate a variety of natural environments and provide the opportunity to fight real demonic beasts. Most importantly, beast tamers were on hand to intervene in case of danger.

Then again, there were also exceptions of demonic beasts going berserk and devouring their beast tamer. But the danger in the colosseum was greatly minimized in comparison, which was why Wan Clan’s business was booming.

“We have arranged ten exciting beast battles for your enjoyment. As is our custom, we have also set up a betting corner for those who wish to participate. Detailed information can be found at your tables, but please note that betting is entirely optional. Our main goal is for everyone to have a good time.” The Hundred Beast Gathering served as a way to promote beast taming and battles, attracting more participants and generating greater profits for the Wan Clan.

Everything was written in detail when everyone opened the booklet on the table. There were ten battles, and the demonic beasts arranged for the first round were the Polarwind Leopard and Rhinobeast. One was proficient in offense, while the other was proficient in defense. According to the betting rate, the odds for Polarwind Leopard were 1:1, and the odds for Rhinobeast were 1:10.

Judging from the betting rate, the Polarwind Leopard had high odds of winning, but there were exceptions to everything.

Wan Butong turned to Liu Wuxie with a smile. “Young Master Liu, would you like to place a bet?” he asked. There were two ways to bet: one could place an official bet at the betting corner or make a private wager not affiliated with the Wan Clan.

“Don’t put our Young Master Liu in a difficult position. Do you think he can even take out gold coins to bet?” Tian Yequan mocked. He naturally knew the Xu Clan’s current situation. They faced an issue with their weapons workshop that made their funds tight, so there was no way the Xu Clan could take out any extra gold coins.

They were in perfect harmony, as though Liu Wuxie had no gold coins if he didn’t join the bet. But if he joined the bet, he would fall into Tian Yequan and Wan Butong’s trap.

Everyone’s gazes fell onto Liu Wuxie, waiting to see if he would partake in the bet.

“How do you guys want to bet?” A smile rose on the corner of Liu Wuxie’s lips, and his reply was beyond everyone’s expectations. Everyone knew Wan Butong and Tian Yequan were goading Liu Wuxie into agreeing. If Liu Wuxie refused, he would only be ridiculed at most, and the matter would be over. Tian Yequan and Wan Butong didn’t really expect Liu Wuxie to partake in the bet either, and they just wanted to take this opportunity to mock him.

“It’s pretty boring to follow the official bet. Why don’t we bet privately? It’s more straightforward this way.” The odds for the official betting corner were too low, and there wasn’t much meaning in taking a bet. But if they bet privately, the stakes were determined by them.

“Pretty good suggestion.” Liu Wuxie nodded, feeling that what Tian Yequan said made sense. It was more convenient and direct to make a private bet.

Xu Lingxue surreptitiously stepped on Liu Wuxie’s foot under the table, trying to warn him that it was a trap. However, Liu Wuxie ignored her warning and took a deep breath to endure the pain. This caused Xu Lingxue to become frustrated, and she puffed up her cheeks in annoyance, ignoring him in return.

“I wonder how much capital can Young Master Liu take out?” Wan Butong smiled with a hint of sarcasm as though he was telling Liu Wuxie not to embarrass himself if he could only take out a few thousand gold coins.

“I didn’t bring any money with me today.” Liu Wuxie shrugged. He was telling the truth because he didn’t have a gold coin on him. Even the herbs he bought previously were on credit from the Treasure Pill Pavilion.

Laughter erupted from those around them, amused by Liu Wuxie’s comment. If he didn’t have any money, what could he possibly bet with?

“Young Master Liu is truly extraordinary, and I’m full of respect for you. But if Young Master Liu needs it, I can loan you some,” Wan Butong mocked as he took out a card. The value of this card was over 10,000 gold coins, and the Great Yan Dynasty promoted these cards to facilitate easy exchange as it was inconvenient to carry the gold coins around. A white card stored anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 gold coins, and a green card stored anywhere from 100,000 to 1,000,000 gold coins. The cards were uniquely marked with the owner’s soul imprint, ensuring that only the rightful owner could use them.

“I’ll pay for Young Master Liu’s bet.” Master Huo stepped forward, saying, “Here are 500,000 gold coins. Young Master Liu can use them anyhow he wishes, and he doesn’t have to pay them back. If it’s not enough, I can get someone to send more over.”

The patriarchs of the Wan Clan, Tian Clan, and Song Clan were shocked. They couldn’t comprehend what was happening. After all, 500,000 gold coins were astronomical, and most people couldn’t earn that many gold coins in their lifetime. Even Xu Lingxue opened her mouth slightly as she turned to look at Liu Wuxie in surprise.

Liu Wuxie accepted the card without any apparent gratitude, as though it was to be expected. This caused the patriarchs of the three clans to exchange puzzled glances. Could it be that Master Huo was secretly working with Liu Wuxie?

“I have my bet prepared now. What about you guys?” This time, it was Liu Wuxie’s turn to mock Tian Yequan and Wan Butong. Wan Butong naturally couldn’t take out 500,000 gold coins, so he turned to look at his clan’s patriarch.

Shortly after, someone came with a few cards containing over a million gold coins. This was because Liu Wuxie was destined to lose in their eyes, and the Polarwind Leopard and Rhinobeast were brought to the arena as they spoke.

“I bet 500,000 gold coins on the Polarwind Leopard!” Wan Butong declared with a sinister smile rising on the corner of his lips.

Naturally, this elicited sneers of contempt from many onlookers, and Song Ling once again leaped into action. He couldn’t stand seeing Wan Butong trying to dig a hole for Liu Wuxie. He yelled, “Wan Butong, just how shameless can you be? You’re the host, and letting the guest take the pick is etiquette. So why did you take the pick first instead?”