“No Battle Intent at all. This second-tier bear Yao Beast is useless; it can’t participate!”
“Too old! No ferocity left. Take it away!”
“Aptitude too poor, eliminated!”
“Barely acceptable, your Roaring Beast passed!”
…
Cultivators lining up with their Yao Beasts were eliminated one after another under the evaluation of the Golden Core Beast Appraiser. Many of them were robust, fierce second-tier Yao Beasts. The pass rate was only about ten percent, indicating a very strict selection process.
Soon, it was Li Mu’s turn. Little Gold stood very obediently in front of his master, ready to be evaluated by the Golden Core Beast Appraiser.
The Golden Core Beast Appraiser released a daunting Aura that pressed down on Little Gold. Little Gold sensed the hostility, its eyes flashed with a fierce glint, and it bared its fangs in defiance, showing no fear even against a Golden Core Senior.
“Oh! This Golden Ape cub has good Aptitude! Unyielding and defiant, with surging Battle Intent. Not bad, not bad, but it’s still too young! I’m afraid it can’t handle the arena.” The Golden Core Beast Appraiser examined the Golden Ape cub with surprise, giving a satisfied evaluation. Then, he turned to Li Mu and asked, “Are you sure you want it to participate now?”
“Yes! Can it pass, Senior?” Li Mu nodded with a smile and asked.
“It can pass! However, it hasn’t fully grown yet. If it doesn’t make it and dies prematurely, don’t be heartbroken,” the Golden Core Beast Appraiser glanced at Li Mu, handed him a participation token, and gestured.
“Thank you for your guidance, Senior!” Li Mu accepted the participation token and led Little Gold into the contestant passage.
As Li Mu entered the contestant passage, a dedicated person immediately waited to guide him.
A female Cultivator with a beautiful face, dressed in a light pink dress, respectfully introduced herself to Li Mu: “Senior, congratulations on your Imperial Beast passing the arena assessment. I am your exclusive maid—Zhao Lingyue—specifically here to introduce you to various arena rules, arrange for Imperial Beast participation, and so on. From now on, for each battle your Imperial Beast participates in, it will receive a fixed reward of one thousand medium spirit stones. If your Imperial Beast wins the battle, it will also receive 15% of the ticket revenue. If it loses, it will only receive 5% of the ticket revenue.”
“Hmm! No betting proceeds?” Li Mu nodded, looking at Zhao Lingyue with a smile and asking.
“Yes, the arena does not prohibit Imperial Beast Masters from gambling. If you have confidence in your Imperial Beast, you can also participate in the betting. However, any fraudulent means, once discovered, will result in the arena holding the Imperial Beast Master accountable. For example: match-fixing, using prohibited Artifact Refining, or feeding your Imperial Beast evil pills that boost combat power… all are strictly forbidden,” Zhao Lingyue confirmed with a nod, detailing the participation rules to Li Mu.
“Does the Imperial Beast Master’s own spellcasting count?” Li Mu frowned, asking with concern.
“Of course not. Imperial Beast battles are not only conducted by Imperial Beasts; the Imperial Beast Master is also part of the battle. However, Imperial Beast Masters can only cast spells on their own Imperial Beasts and cannot directly cast spells to interfere with the opponent’s Imperial Beast. At that time, you will have an exclusive Imperial Battle position to participate in the Imperial Beast battle,” Zhao Lingyue explained with a smile.
Hearing this, Li Mu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. With his intervention, even if he couldn’t make Little Gold the Beast King, he could at least ensure its survival.
“Senior, should I arrange for your Imperial Beast to enter the arena immediately? Arena No. 3 currently has an open slot, and you can sign up for battle. For new beasts participating, the registration pass rate will have a bonus, and it might even be arranged to enter immediately,” Zhao Lingyue asked Li Mu for instructions.
“Yes, help me sign up!” Li Mu nodded with a smile.
“Alright, Senior! I’ll escort you to the resting area to wait while I go register!” Zhao Lingyue said with a smile.
Li Mu nodded and followed Zhao Lingyue to the resting room, handing her the participation token to register for the competition.
The Imperial Beast Lodge must have been operating for quite some time, as its personnel arrangements were complete and its rules very thorough. Li Mu didn’t have to wait long before Zhao Lingyue returned with good news.
“Senior, the beast battle registration was successful! In one hour, your Imperial Beast will fight a second-tier Red-Maned Fire Lion. The opponent’s Imperial Beast is also making its debut. The participation token has information about the opponent’s Imperial Beast, as well as the odds. However, our odds are a bit high, indicating a higher chance of losing,” Zhao Lingyue handed the participation token to Li Mu, speaking with a serious expression.
Zhao Lingyue’s face also looked a bit grim, fearing that after this beast battle, she might have to follow a different Imperial Beast Master.
The Imperial Beast Master she was currently following had an Imperial Beast that was too young, probably only thirteen or fourteen in human years. She wondered what the Golden Core Beast Appraiser was thinking. The Golden Ape’s Aptitude was indeed good, but how could he agree to let it participate in the ‘adult group’ competition?
Although a newborn calf fears no tiger, it won’t go far!
Li Mu took the participation token and immersed his Divine Sense to examine it.
The image of the Red-Maned Fire Lion, along with various parameters, was detailed within the token: Red-Maned Fire Lion, Height: Eight feet seven inches, Length: Twelve feet, Attribute: Fire, Bone Age: 15.5 years, Status: Naturally fierce, vigorous Yao Power, thick and strong limbs, incredibly powerful… Estimated Combat Power: Second-tier Peak Lion King, Odds: 1:1.21.
After reading the evaluation information for the Red-Maned Fire Lion, Li Mu turned to examine his own Golden Ape’s parameters: Green-Eyed Golden Ape, Height: Six feet two inches, Attribute: Metal, Bone Age: 1.7 years, Status: Profound Yao Power, robust physique, flexible limbs, surging Battle Intent, immense potential… Estimated Combat Power: Second-tier Growth Stage Ape Yao, Odds: 1:19.5.
After finishing the evaluation on the participation token, Li Mu smiled slightly and took out a Storage Pouch containing ‘loose change’ from his In arms.
“Xiao Zhao, do me a favor. There are over five thousand medium spirit stones in here. Go place a bet for me! Bet it all on Little Gold to win,” Li Mu handed the ‘loose change’ Storage Pouch to Zhao Lingyue.
“Ah! Senior, alright!” Zhao Lingyue was startled and took the Spirit Stone Storage Pouch.
She didn’t expect that this Imperial Beast Master, after reading the participation token, would still have so much confidence in his own Imperial Beast, even betting his entire fortune.
Zhao Lingyue took the Spirit Stone bag and hurried off to place the bet.
Zhao Lingyue arrived at the betting counter.
Betting and ticket sales for the Green-Eyed Golden Ape versus the Red-Maned Fire Lion arena match had already begun.
Many people were buying, and the huge odds and disparity in strength excited countless gamblers, who rushed to place their bets.
“Must bet on the Fire Lion! These Spirit Stones are like free money! Buy 300 medium spirit stones for me, Fire Lion wins.”
“Peak versus Growth Stage, how can they fight? And it’s a Vicious Beast against a common beast. I’ll also buy Fire Lion to win, 1000 medium spirit stones.”
“The odds are so small! Buying a thousand medium spirit stones won’t earn much! We should still bet on the underdog!”
“Bet on what underdog? Giving Spirit Stones to the Imperial Beast Lodge for free?! Listen to me, bet with me, the Fire Lion will definitely win this match!”
“Forget it! I’ve been losing terribly lately, with constant upsets. I’m not betting on this match!”
“…”
The counter was surrounded by Cultivators placing bets, dozens to hundreds of them, with more and more people joining, and the line steadily growing.
Zhao Lingyue had to use an internal passage to place Li Mu’s bet. At the last moment, Zhao Lingyue, as if possessed, also placed a bet of fifty medium spirit stones, which was half a month’s salary for her.
After buying, Zhao Lingyue immediately regretted it!
Why was she so foolish?
If she were to buy, she should have bought the Fire Lion to win!
Zhao Lingyue slapped her head several times. It seemed her next half-month’s work would be for nothing.
“Senior, these are your betting slips, and your Storage Pouch. Please keep them safe,” Zhao Lingyue handed the Storage Pouch and betting slips to Li Mu, asking with concern, “Senior, does your Imperial Beast have any unique abilities? You’re so confident, placing such a heavy bet.”
“It’s alright! The Golden Ape is especially strong!” Li Mu smiled as he took the Storage Pouch and betting slips, replying.
…
That’s it?
Which second-tier Yao Beast isn’t strong?
Zhao Lingyue was immediately dumbfounded, and her last bit of hope for the Green-Eyed Golden Ape to win was shattered.
Time flew by, and an hour passed in a blink of an eye.
Guided by Zhao Lingyue, Li Mu led Little Gold from Arena No. 3, preparing to make their entrance.
“Senior, please enter from this side. Once the referee announces, you can go on stage! You must do your best! Don’t be nervous, you must win!” Zhao Lingyue introduced Li Mu, encouraging him eagerly.
Li Mu nodded with a smile, infected by the vibrant girl’s enthusiasm.
Soon, hearing the referee’s announcement of their names in the arena, Li Mu led the Green-Eyed Golden Ape onto the fighting stage.
With a “Whoosh,” a tumultuous sound entered.
As far as the eye could see, the surrounding spectator stands were filled with Cultivators watching the beast battle. They excitedly waved their betting slips, screaming hysterically, and shouting.
“Kill! Fire Lion, kill it!”
“Hahaha! It’s just a Golden Ape cub! This match is a sure win!”
“We’re rich! This match is a definite win!”
“Such a small Golden Ape can even enter the arena! Is it just food for the Fire Lion?!”
…
The Cultivators in the spectator stands, upon seeing Little Gold’s appearance, were almost uniformly unoptimistic, jeering mockingly, cursing disdainfully, and filled with triumphant laughter.
Feeling the intense malice from all around, Little Gold grew enraged.
“Roar!”
Little Gold suddenly pounded its chest with both hands, roared up to the sky, and erupted with a surging rage. A dense Yao Power burst forth from its body, causing the Qi of heaven and earth within the arena to tremble.
“Gah!”
Seeing this scene, the various jeers from the spectator stands instantly ceased.
“This, this Yao Power isn’t right!”
“What’s going on? Isn’t it not yet at its Peak? How can it unleash such powerful Spiritual Pressure?”
“No way! How can such a small body have such a fierce Aura?!”
…
The ‘gamblers’ in the spectator stands couldn’t help but become nervous. They were all shaken by the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s roaring Aura, realizing they were not as certain of victory as they had thought.
Fortunately, with the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s entrance, their worries greatly diminished.
As soon as the Red-Maned Fire Lion, three or four times larger than the Green-Eyed Golden Ape, appeared, it immediately drew countless cheers. Its limbs were like pillars, incredibly robust, its red mane like fire, exuding the Spiritual Pressure of a second-tier Peak Lion King, majestic beyond compare. Compared to it, the Green-Eyed Golden Ape clearly seemed to be on a different level.
“Both Imperial Beast Masters on stage, Imperial Beasts enter the arena, battle ready to begin!” The Golden Core referee in the arena floated in the air and announced.
Hearing this, Li Mu smiled and stepped forward, patting Little Gold’s shoulder, encouraging it to enter the arena.
Just then, a white light flashed on Li Mu’s body, and he took the opportunity to release Little White, attaching it to Little Gold, just in case.
Li Mu ascended the stairs, stepping onto the Imperial Beast platform, to jointly command his Imperial Beast in battle with the opposing Imperial Beast Master.
The 10-mu arena was not small, but with the entrance of the Green-Eyed Golden Ape and the Red-Maned Fire Lion, it began to feel a bit cramped.
The Green-Eyed Golden Ape held a thick blood-iron wooden staff in its hand and walked step by step to the Red-Maned Fire Lion, its eyes filled with vigilance and Battle Intent, completely fearless.
“Roar!” The Red-Maned Fire Lion was enraged by the audacious little fellow in front of it. It let out a furious roar, and its fiery Yao Power surged, waiting for its master’s command to pounce and tear it apart.
“Fight!” the Golden Core referee announced.
The Red-Maned Fire Lion pushed off with its four limbs, leaping out like a sharp sword, directly pouncing towards the Green-Eyed Golden Ape.
The Green-Eyed Golden Ape stood motionless, as if intimidated by the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s fierce pounce, its feet rooted to the spot.
However, just as the Red-Maned Fire Lion extended its claws to strike, the Green-Eyed Golden Ape shifted its stance to dodge, advancing instead of retreating. The blood-iron wooden staff in its hand swung out with the momentum.
With a loud “Thud,” the blood-iron wooden staff heavily struck the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s shoulder.
The Red-Maned Fire Lion’s attack was interrupted, but it did not give up. Its other massive claw swung down fiercely, gripping the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s body.
With a “Sizzle,” the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s massive claw seemed to grip granite, leaving a very shallow claw mark on the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s waist, splashing out a string of pale golden blood.
The Green-Eyed Golden Ape, wounded by the claw, flashed a fierce glint in its eyes as it turned to face the Red-Maned Fire Lion.
As soon as the Red-Maned Fire Lion landed, it pushed off with its hind legs and leaped forward, revealing sharp fangs, like four sharp curved blades, aiming for the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s fatal throat to bite and tear.
With a “Duang,” the Green-Eyed Golden Ape reacted incredibly flexibly, striking the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s forehead with a powerful blow, not giving it a chance to bite down.
…
Soon, the Red-Maned Fire Lion and the Green-Eyed Golden Ape engaged in close-quarters combat.
The Red-Maned Fire Lion’s sharp claws drew blood with every strike on the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s body. In just a moment, the Green-Eyed Golden Ape was covered in wounds, its entire body stained with blood.
However, the Cultivators in the spectator stands were all incredibly nervous, filled with worry about the battle’s outcome.
The Green-Eyed Golden Ape appeared to be covered in wounds, but it was completely dominating the fight. The Green-Eyed Golden Ape only allowed the Red-Maned Fire Lion to claw, never letting it bite its vital parts. It repeatedly swung its staff, interrupting the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s biting attacks, and even actively extended its arm for the Red-Maned Fire Lion to bite, and then…
“Duang, Duang…” The thick blood-iron wooden staff repeatedly struck the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s forehead. The immense force caused the entire arena to tremble non-stop, which was terrifying.
“Duang!” With a loud crash, the blood-iron wooden staff once again slammed heavily onto the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s forehead, causing the Red-Maned Fire Lion to release its bite.
With a “Bang!” the Red-Maned Fire Lion’s massive body crashed heavily to the ground, losing its ability to fight further.
“Roar!”
The Green-Eyed Golden Ape glanced at it, then turned to the spectator stands, letting out a roar to declare its victory.
The Green-Eyed Golden Ape walked away with firm, powerful steps, its blood-stained, towering body seeming to mock them as a group of ignorant clowns.
“Green-Eyed Golden Ape, victorious!” the Golden Core referee announced loudly, without surprise.
In this battle, the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s Imperial Beast Master was very clever, maximizing the Green-Eyed Golden Ape’s physical advantages, exchanging injuries for injuries. The battle was a bit brutal, but by continuously accumulating advantages, they ultimately achieved victory.
“No way! It actually lost!”
“We lost terribly this time!”
“How could this happen! Fire Lion, get up!”
“Damn Golden Ape, how can its body be so powerful?!”
…
Upon hearing the referee’s verdict, a large number of curses immediately erupted from the spectator stands, unable to accept the outcome.
Backstage at the arena.
Li Mu happily fed Little Gold a few Gold Vein Pills. Then, he had Little White, who was attached to it, return, and put Little Gold into his Spirit Beast Pouch to recover from its injuries.
With Little Gold’s recovery speed, its injuries would heal in three to five days, without even needing healing medicine.
If it weren’t for the fact that it was unsuitable for Little Gold to use the ‘Spirit Devouring Healing Art’ here, by feeding it large amounts of third-tier Yao Beasts and then using this art for recovery, Little Gold could heal its injuries in half a day.
“We won! Senior, we won!”
As Li Mu entered backstage, a graceful figure immediately appeared before him, jumping excitedly and celebrating with uncontainable joy.
“Yes! We won. Let’s go collect the prize money!” Li Mu nodded with a smile.
“Right, right! Senior, this way!” Zhao Lingyue enthusiastically pulled Li Mu’s arm, happily leading the way.