Audric clearly hadn't understood Zhong Shenxiu, so he just stared blankly and asked, "Zhong Shenxiu?"

Zhong Shenxiu offered no detailed explanation, merely revealing a wicked smile.

As that smile appeared, something terrifying happened to the onlookers.

Suddenly, there was a muffled boom, and immediately the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. At first, it was a light vibration, but it soon intensified into a violent shaking.

And in no time at all, several startling cracks began to spread out beneath their feet, followed by the sounds of collapsing structures and various screams.

If not for Zhong Shenxiu's preceding words, everyone would have assumed it was an earthquake—and a significant one at that!

This must have been the "surprise" Zhong Shenxiu mentioned. No one expected him to instantly cast a Level Thirteen Earth element spell: Scar of the Earth!

In the blink of an eye, the entire Duke’s estate was a scene of devastation. Fortunately, no one was injured because they had all fled their rooms the moment the ground started to shake!

By this time, Audric was utterly stunned. He could not have imagined that, in just an instant, his massive Duke’s estate would be reduced to such a ruinous sight!

“How does it feel now?” Zhong Shenxiu paused; if he hadn't stopped, the result would have been far worse than just collapsing buildings!

“Th-this was you?” Audric asked, horrified.

He couldn't help but be shocked, because he had heard of Level Thirteen magic. It was rumored that only those who achieved the strength of a "God-Demon Mentor" could cast it, and just reciting the incantation would take nearly an hour, not to mention the considerable time needed to gather the magical power.

How could it have been executed so quickly, almost as soon as Zhong Shenxiu finished speaking?

This was beyond monstrous!

After all, Level Thirteen magic was second only to "Forbidden Curses." It typically only appeared in large-scale warfare; how could it be wielded so effortlessly?

Facing Audric’s question, Zhong Shenxiu didn’t reply, simply offering an expression that clearly meant, “What do you think?”

Some might say Zhong Shenxiu was being too ruthless. How could he destroy the man’s home like this?

The truth was, Zhong Shenxiu was already being merciful. At the very least, he hadn't initiated a massacre, which was Audric’s good fortune!

“You... what exactly do you want?” Audric finally succumbed to fear. Even if you added up all his ancestors for eight generations, they wouldn't be a match for this enemy before him!

If the opponent wished it, he could effortlessly erase their entire "Misleng Family" from this world!

Audric truly couldn't comprehend how such a perverse existence could be in this world, and why he had never heard of such a person. Where had this child come from? Was he a demon reincarnated?

Little did he know that since Zhong Shenxiu transmigrated to this world, he had stayed in secluded places, so his fame had never spread. Furthermore, he wasn't a particularly boastful person, dedicating himself primarily to research. Thus, these great figures who had long enjoyed life’s luxuries had absolutely no idea that a "prodigy" existed in this world!

“No need to be so tense. Now, let's discuss the real business!” Zhong Shenxiu’s calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to Audric’s agitation.

However, the calmer Zhong Shenxiu became, the more nervous Audric grew, as he couldn't fathom what the "real business" was. And if it was just business, why use such a grand move to frighten them?

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at the guards and said, “You are not needed here. You may leave!”

The guards visibly stiffened, unprepared for Zhong Shenxiu to suddenly address them. To be honest, they had long wanted to leave. One Zackley had been enough to shake their resolve; now there was an even more monstrous little devil. They hadn’t endured such stimulation before. It was a testament to their composure that they hadn't gone mad.

“You all go out first,” Audric suddenly commanded. Without his word, these guards wouldn't and dared not leave.

Audric also knew that keeping the guards here was useless. Against the opponent’s monstrous strength, sheer numbers meant nothing! It was better to let them withdraw, lest they anger the opponent and provoke some earth-shattering event!

Moments later, the guards retreated, taking the corpses of the magical beasts and any injured guards with them.

The small courtyard instantly became empty, but the atmosphere grew even more oppressive!

Zhong Shenxiu beckoned to Audric, signaling him not to keep his distance.

Audric had no choice but to walk forward stiffly, wearing a look of intense frustration. He was usually the one giving orders; now he had lost face in front of a mere child!

Looking down at the small boy who barely reached his knees, Audric couldn't bring himself to connect him with the Level Thirteen magic just cast. If he were to do something... at such close range...

The thought barely surfaced in Audric’s mind before he shuddered violently, a cold sweat breaking out across his back.

Any true master possessed a degree of foresight, and Audric had an immediate premonition that if he acted on that thought, his fate would be dire!

“First, let's discuss the second matter,” Zhong Shenxiu’s expression turned somewhat serious. “The guards you sent to capture me earlier have now been subdued by me. I expect you to have no further contact with them from now on!”

“Subdued?” Audric’s eyes widened drastically. He neither confirmed nor denied, simply standing there dumbfounded.

Zhong Shenxiu didn't need an answer; he just needed to state his terms. After a brief pause, he continued, “I believe your subordinates already informed you. If you provoke me again, things won't be this simple!”

Audric’s body jolted. Cassius had indeed said something similar to him before, but at the time, Audric had dismissed it as background noise.

“The first time, I only asked for ten thousand Diamond Coins. This time, the amount doubles!” Zhong Shenxiu adopted a thoughtful pose, as if calculating the exact sum he should demand this time.

Although Audric remained silent, his expression clearly conveyed: Name the price, and I’ll pay it!

Never mind doubling the price—he would pay hundreds of times more. At this moment, he shared the same sentiment as Loris: just get this little devil to leave quickly!

Fortunately, Zhong Shenxiu didn't make him wait long. He finally spoke again: “Considering the excessive number of times we had to intervene this time, the appearance fee doubles again, plus the long journey involved... You only need to pay one hundred billion Diamond Coins!”

CRASH! Audric lost his footing and slumped onto the ground, his bovine eyes wide with terror as he stammered, “H-how much?”

“One hundred billion Diamond Coins!” Zhong Shenxiu adopted a look of finality, as if this was non-negotiable.

Audric felt like weeping. He had originally thought that Zhong Shenxiu’s idea of "doubling" would be a few hundred times the original amount at most, but now...

One hundred billion Diamond Coins was an astronomical figure. Even the Duke's estate, wealthy as it was, couldn't produce that much money overnight, especially now that the estate was a ruin, requiring significant funds just to restore its former glory.

Audric now felt desperate enough to sell his daughter, though even that wouldn't fetch much money!

“C-can it be less?” Audric asked through twitching lips, his expression pleading.

“Is that a lot? Aren't you a very rich family?” Zhong Shenxiu asked, quickly glancing toward Loris.

Loris had been stunned senseless upon hearing “one hundred billion Diamond Coins.” Seeing Zhong Shenxiu look at her, she suddenly remembered his earlier question, and she recalled her own answer: that her family was very wealthy!

Loris was filled with regret; she should have pretended to be poor!

“We—we don’t have that much money!” Audric spoke the truth!

“Oh?” Zhong Shenxiu didn't seem particularly surprised, merely asking casually, “Then how much are you prepared to offer?”

This question genuinely stumped Audric. After careful consideration, he reasoned that since the other party was "asking an exorbitant price," he should "counter with a low offer." Thus, he said fearfully, “F-fifty thousand Diamond Coins!”

Pah!

Zhong Shenxiu nearly exploded with rage. Did he think he was handing out alms?

Instantly, Zhong Shenxiu’s face darkened, and a powerful aura surged from within him. Though he made no move, Audric suddenly felt an immense force rush into his body. His entire head felt like it was about to explode, nearly causing him to pass out.

Then, Audric was forced to stagger back three steps uncontrollably, only managing to stop himself by sinking onto one knee. Blood began to seep from the corner of his mouth, and his entire face was as white as... Terror—this power was too terrifying!

Audric felt every cell in his body crying out in agony under the pressure of this force, giving him the sensation of falling into an abyss!

Th-this is his true strength?

Audric stared at Zhong Shenxiu in horror. He couldn't believe this fact, as he had never experienced such an effect even in the presence of a Sword God!

Audric was now utterly convinced that if this little devil truly became enraged, their "Misleng Family" would vanish into history in an instant!

And Audric realized one crucial thing: this little devil was completely mercurial!

Yet, he had no idea that this mere burst of aura was still ten thousand miles away from Zhong Shenxiu’s true power. Zhong Shenxiu was merely venting a tiny fraction of his strength; otherwise, that aura alone would have crushed Audric to death!

Zhong Shenxiu’s imposing aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, the atmosphere returning to relative calm.

However, Audric no longer dared to consider defiance!

“I didn’t quite catch that last part. How much did you say?” Zhong Shenxiu smiled, but this smile made Audric tremble all over!