Chapter 136: There Must Be More to This...

Failing to dispose of Bai Feiyu quickly was, to Xiao Ming, an absolute stain on his reputation. After all, word of this would inevitably spread, and if he were to ever visit the Imperial City again, the mere mention of his name would immediately conjure up images of him struggling to deal with a mere ninth-level Haoqi Realm cultivator.

Xiao Ming’s mood soured instantly. He sneered, "Hmph, Bai Feiyu, you think you have victory in the bag, don't you? Now, I will show you my true strength. Today, you are doomed!"

With that, Xiao Ming unleashed his most powerful divine ability, charging toward Bai Feiyu with lethal intent. Yet, Bai Feiyu was utterly fearless, meeting the assault head-on.

Following a fierce battle, Xiao Ming found himself pinned beneath Bai Feiyu’s foot. He had lost. Xiao Ming’s face was deathly pale; being defeated by a ninth-level Haoqi Realm cultivator was a profound humiliation. Nevertheless, he had to admit that Bai Feiyu’s combat prowess was indeed on par with a second-level Shackle Realm cultivator. In fact, it had been a narrow victory.

"Hmph, brat, you’re lucky this time. You win!" Although he was filled with resentment, Xiao Ming had no choice but to snort in frustration.

However, Bai Feiyu did not remove his foot. Instead, he looked down at Xiao Ming with a playful grin. "Have you forgotten our wager?"

Xiao Ming’s expression shifted. If he were to truly kneel and bark like a dog for Bai Feiyu, his reputation would be ruined forever. "Bai Feiyu, I warn you, do not push your luck! Don't think that just because you won, you have the right to humiliate me!"

Xiao Ming roared and tried to struggle, only to find that Bai Feiyu’s strength was extraordinarily overwhelming; he could not break free.

"Heh, are you planning to welsh on the bet?" Bai Feiyu sneered, his gaze turning icy. He gathered violent spiritual energy into his hand, pressed it against Xiao Ming’s chest, and said coldly, "If that’s the case, I have no choice but to cripple your cultivation."

"You are breaking your word! The people here and the referee can all testify for us!"

"If I cripple you, you will be a useless废人 for the rest of your life. But it doesn't matter; I have backers in the Imperial City, and I believe my sect will protect me. Besides, this was something you agreed to yourself—you can only blame yourself!"

Bai Feiyu made it look as though he were truly about to cripple Xiao Ming, and for the first time, Xiao Ming felt genuine terror. "No, no, wait! Let’s talk about this. Can we discuss this? I’ll pay you!"

Xiao Ming was truly afraid now. Because he had lost, the crowd was already hurling insults at him. If he were to actually kneel and bark like a dog, he would be a laughingstock for the rest of his life.

"Heh, sorry. I’m rich; I don’t need your pocket change!" Bai Feiyu chuckled. This guy had brought it upon himself. Since he wanted to use him as a stepping stone, he shouldn't be surprised by the lack of mercy. This time, there was no way he would let this guy off lightly.

In the distance, the elders of the Lingxi Sect watching the match turned grim. Truth be told, Xiao Ming was no obscure disciple within the Lingxi Sect. A duel of this nature involved the sect’s reputation, and they were naturally worried. However, they had witnessed the wager being made, and intervening now would inevitably draw the ire of the Imperial family.

An elder from the Lingxi Sect sent a telepathic message to Bai Feiyu: "Young friend Bai Feiyu, can this matter be reconsidered? If Xiao Ming truly kneels to you, where will our sect’s face be? We will become the laughingstock of the world. How about this: I will offer you one hundred thousand spirit stones, and I will have Xiao Ming apologize to you publicly. Will that suffice?"

Spirit stones were a small matter, but the sect’s reputation was paramount. If such a thing happened, elders from other sects would surely use it to mock them during future recruitment drives. The Lingxi Sect could not afford such a price.

Hearing the offer of one hundred thousand spirit stones and the anxious tone of the elder, Bai Feiyu hesitated. He had already offended the Golden Light Sect; adding another enemy was unwise. He wouldn't be strong enough to challenge an entire sect anytime soon, and burning bridges now was not ideal. Since the other party had promised a public apology, Bai Feiyu felt that letting it go was a reasonable outcome.

"Very well. As you say. Now, have those spirit stones delivered to our elder, and have Xiao Ming apologize to me publicly!" Bai Feiyu stated with an uncompromising attitude.

Seeing that Bai Feiyu was no longer insisting on the dog-barking humiliation, the elder felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He immediately arranged for the delivery of the spirit stones and then telepathically ordered Xiao Ming to apologize.

Facing the elder’s command, Xiao Ming’s face turned the color of liver, but he stood up timidly and bowed deeply to Bai Feiyu. "I apologize, Junior Brother Bai Feiyu. My previous insults were born of arrogance. Only now do I realize the gap between us. I hope you will not hold it against me..."

The moment the apology was uttered, the entire crowd erupted. Overwhelming jeers and curses rained down:

"Damn it! You brat, are you a plant?"

"Tell us, did you have a stake in the bets placed on Bai Feiyu? Otherwise, how could you, a second-level Shackle Realm fighter, possibly lose?"

"Damn it! I bet my life savings on you, and you lost!"

Many in the audience were incensed, wishing they could rush onto the stage and strangle Xiao Ming. He was utterly useless, having been defeated by a ninth-level Haoqi Realm disciple, and on top of that, he had apologized publicly. It was infuriating. Many had hoped to win back their losses, but that hope was gone. Bai Feiyu’s victory meant their spirit stones had vanished into thin air, and years of accumulated wealth were gone in an instant. They were devastated.

Most had come to make money, and because the strength gap seemed so vast, many had bet on Xiao Ming for safety. Now, faced with this outcome, they could not accept it.

"It’s rigged! There must be a conspiracy! A ninth-level Haoqi Realm disciple cannot defeat a second-level Shackle Realm cultivator!"