Aiden''s interest piqued as he observed the fight more closely. Despite the young man''s frail appearance, his cultivation level was clearly higher than the burly man''s. It was evident that the boy was deliberately holding back, putting on a show for the crowd. Aiden''s sharp mind quickly pieced together the situation: this was a fixed match, designed to manipulate the bets.

    The odds were heavily stacked against the frail boy, with a payout of 1 to 10, while the burly man had odds of 1 to 3. It was a classic setup to lure in those looking for a sure win, only to pull the rug out from under them.

    Aiden smiled, recognizing an opportunity. He thought back to the last batch of immortal stones Shelly had given him before her ascension—1,000 low-grade stones. This was the perfect chance to multiply his wealth.

    He made his way to the betting booth, ignoring the sneers and taunts from the crowd. "500 low-grade immortal stones on the kid," Aiden declared confidently.

    The man at the booth raised an eyebrow at the bet, while the people around Aiden scoffed and jeered.

    "Kid, you''re too green for this," one man sneered.

    "Go home and stop flashing your money around," another advised.

    "Rich brat, don''t blame us when you lose it all," someone else cursed.

    Despite the warnings and ridicule, Aiden remained unfazed. The booth operator, seeing no reason to argue, asked, "You still want to place the bet?"

    Aiden nodded, handing over a ring containing the 500 immortal stones. The booth operator shrugged, assuming he was taking easy money from a naive newcomer. Aiden, however, knew better. His smile widened as he watched the frail boy continue to act out his role in the fixed match. He could already see the payoff coming, and this bet was just the beginning.

    Aiden kept his eyes on the match as the burly man relentlessly pummeled the frail young fighter. The crowd cheered and jeered, expecting the one-sided beatdown to continue. However, Aiden''s attention remained sharp, noticing the subtle signs that something was about to change.

    Suddenly, the young man, who had been taking the hits, sprang into action. With a swift and unexpected move, he kicked the burly man square in the face, sending him stumbling backward, blood gushing from his nose. The crowd gasped in shock as the frail boy, now standing on the top of the cage, looked down at his opponent with a fierce glare.

    The young man leaped from the top of the cage, delivering a devastating kick directly to the burly man''s neck. The impact was so powerful that it sent the larger man crashing to the ground. Yet, even after the brutal attack, the burly man was not out of the fight. He struggled to get up, his face contorted in pain.

    The crowd erupted in chaos. Those who had bet on the burly man screamed in frustration, hurling insults and demands.

    "The fuck is this?" Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

    "Get up and thrash that kid!"

    Aiden observed the scene with a mix of amusement and satisfaction. The turmoil was a direct result of the fixed match and the subsequent revelation that the odds had been rigged. It was clear that the crowd''s anger stemmed from their realization that they had been deceived, and their frustration was directed towards everyone involved in the arrangement.

    Amidst the chaos, the young victor stood calmly, his expression unreadable. He had achieved his goal and would soon leave the arena, his part in the scheme completed. The atmosphere remained tense as the crowd continued to vent their frustrations, but Aiden knew it was time for him to move on.

    As Aiden prepared to leave, a sudden and overwhelming pressure descended upon the arena. The spiritual energy was so intense that it forced everyone, including the angry patrons, to their knees. The arena fell into a stunned silence, broken only by the deep, authoritative voice that resonated through the space.

    "You bet on the wrong person; you lost your money."

    The voice was heavy, commanding, and filled with an aura of undeniable authority.

    "Now, make no commotion here if you wish to keep your lives."

    The crowd''s complaints and anger were instantly subdued. The aura of power was so palpable that even the most defiant were rendered speechless.

    "Remove these worthless people from the arena. They are banned from this place from now on."

    The arena staff, visibly shaken but now empowered by the sudden shift in control, swiftly moved to enforce the command. They began to clear out the disgruntled patrons, escorting them out with urgency. The once chaotic scene was now under strict control, and the arena''s operations continued with an air of enforced order.

    Aiden watched with interest as the scene unfolded. The display of power was impressive, and it was clear that whoever wielded it held significant influence over the underground activities of the Burning Shore.

    As Aiden made his way back to the betting booth, he couldn''t help but ponder the extent of the authority displayed earlier. Was the imposing figure merely a manager of the arena, or did he hold sway over the entire underground network? The display of power had certainly left an impression.

    Upon reaching the booth, Aiden collected his winnings amid the clamor of the booth''s staff. The scene was almost comical: the booth manager, surrounded by angry and disappointed bettors, was distributing the payout while visibly distressed. It was clear that someone had pressured him into handling the situation, and his reluctance was palpable.

    Aiden chuckled at the sight, finding some amusement in the awkwardness of the situation. He approached the counter and collected his 5,000 low-grade Immortal Stones, the fruits of his well-placed bet. The booth manager, still sweating and muttering complaints, seemed relieved to see Aiden take his leave.

    As Aiden moved through the bustling Underground City, he discreetly gathered the residual Death Energy from the aftermath of the recent fight. The arena was currently under repair, its once chaotic state now replaced with a flurry of activity as workers set about fixing the damage.

    Taking advantage of the quieter period, Aiden explored the rest of the Underground City. He eventually made his way to the marketplace, a vibrant area lined with numerous stalls and vendors. The marketplace was a hive of activity, with various goods and wares on display. Aiden felt there might be valuable items or useful information to be found among the stalls.

    The market was a vibrant, chaotic expanse, with stalls lined up in every direction, each offering a variety of goods and services. The air was filled with the mingling scents of exotic spices, sizzling meats, and the occasional waft of something more mysterious.

    He stopped at several stalls, examining the wares. One stall offered strange herbs and potions, each promising unique effects or it could be just colored water.