"Offer up your Soul Seal and submit to me."
Chen Wen spoke calmly, his words carrying an unquestionable tone.
"You..."
Zhao Xiu's expression changed drastically.
He naturally knew that once he offered up his Soul Seal, his life and death would truly be at Chen Wen's mercy.
But soon, he let out a helpless sigh.
Given his current situation, were his life and death not already in Chen Wen's hands?
Only now did he finally understand why Chen Wen had deliberately mentioned his speculation about Zhao Xiu's relationship with Qiu Bing.
It was a warning: even if Zhao Xiu was determined to die, Qiu Bing would not survive either.
If he was willing to submit, then Qiu Bing would be safe.
At this thought, Zhao Xiu smiled bitterly. "Did you have this in mind from the very beginning?"
Chen Wen did not deny it.
From the moment he saw Zhao Xiu, he had indeed entertained this idea.
First, Zhao Xiu had a simple background—he was a survivor of a clan that had been exterminated.
Second, Zhao Xiu possessed extraordinary strength and immense potential.
He was much younger than figures at the Grand Elder level, yet he was already infinitely close to the Peak Fifth Layer Great Emperor Realm. That alone spoke volumes.
Third, although Zhao Xiu acted ruthlessly and decisively, he was not the kind of person who schemed in the shadows.
To be honest, if Chen Wen had learned that someone was impersonating him and acting under his name, his reaction might not have been much better than Zhao Xiu's.
Therefore, Zhao Xiu's attempt to let the mantis stalk the cicada while the oriole waited behind was understandable.
Lastly, Zhao Xiu had someone within the Cloud Merchant Association.
Chen Wen suspected that Qiu Bing was very likely Zhao Xiu's