Radiant Sun Arena Lounge.

  The spotlight fell squarely onto Bubai the moment he stepped back into the lounge.

  Most eyes turned away after a glance, but a few particularly bold ones still whispered away.

  “Look. That’s him. Like Wu’an Gonggong said, not simple at all.”

  Another snorted. “So what if he’s not simple? Just look at him! Can a golden phoenix emerge from a grass nest? Heck, I bet he doesn’t even have a resource quota!”

  “That’s hard to say. But even if he doesn’t, some faction will fork one out for the winner…”

  “What’s more important is the rare tower quota that bloke occupies. We all know those private properties are leagues above normal courtyards!”

  “No kidding. If any of us wins that, we’re set for a year at least…”

  Bubai wasn’t too surprised by their motivation to take his spot.

  For the unaffiliated and those unfavored bunches, this was literally their only ticket to live in a tower.

  A big sect has its rules to avoid becoming a stagnant pool.

  One of many was this year-long, inviolable right given to the winners.

  Even the elders won’t rescind this reward without a valid reason.

  Not that they would want to.

  After all, any elder will be happy to find a renter for their property, especially when the rent is fully paid by the sect’s coffers!

  That’s ten spirit stones per month!

  Any landlord can’t wait to permanently keep their tenant there for however long their resource quota lasts!

  If there weren’t favoritism towards juniors from their own clan and factions, there wouldn’t even be a need for tower quotas at all!

  Alas… such was reality in this world where power begets privilege.

  Hence, most towers were occupied by the favored heirs or downlines of the influential.

  If any other disciple wants dibs on such a great cultivation hub, they must take it off the hands of another through the sect’s established rules.

  Of course, that shouldn’t be the only reason that he became a hotcake.

  Well, not like there was a need to know what those motivations are.

  All he had to do was win... and keep winning.

  Bubai popped another pill for show and went over to where the peacock in black waited.

  Seeing Bubai walk over, Miss Hong clicked her tongue. “Tsk. You actually survived.”

  Bubai smiled back. “Ah, sorry to disappoint. It was a tough fight, but I managed.”

  The arrogant lady was clearly unimpressed by his charm, but she stayed silent this time.

  Bubai plopped down on the open seat and rolled his shoulders. “Oh, I must have punched too hard. My shoulder’s kinda aching.”

  He eyed the crimson hottie and saw she was pretending to be deaf.

  Bubai let out an exaggerated sigh, leaning back and speaking just loud enough for her to hear.

  “Xiao Hong, you’re really making this difficult for me by doing this, you know? There are outsiders watching, and even your old master might be checking on us.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Miss Hong’s sneer was as sharp as her words had been.

  But after a beat, she still came behind him and her hands landed on his shoulders.

  What followed was less a massage and felt more like... an attempt to wring the life out of him.

  Eh... it was a good start.

  Comparatively, the start of his tourney was a bit bumpier than anticipated.

  Sure, his strength was there, and it must be shown sooner or later. It’s just that...

  Bubai originally wanted to save a card to throw out as a killer during a later round.

  Alas, since schemes failed, he had to show absolute power.

  Of course, the strength shown was only the tip of the iceberg.

  It was at most the full power of his pre-promotion status.

  Ever since establishing his foundation, his physique has underwent a growth spurt and is still constantly evolving every moment.

  If he really went all out, he’s afraid the elders won’t be sitting still.

  But even showing this much was risky.

  After all, even foundation realm cultivators aren’t invincible, let alone the level he showed.

  Challengers will come, and any coming after will probably have the confidence to deal with him.

  Speak of the devil...

  “What an impressive display earlier! Senior Brother Bubai is really a crouching tiger amongst men.”

  The light and pleasant greeting drew his gaze over to the man approaching his seat.

  Slim figure. Hands hidden in the sleeves his hanfu. Black hakama trousers.

  What stood out most was the unfamiliar face sporting a smile so friendly that his eyes were almost narrowed closed.

  Looks friendly, but definitely felt like honey hiding a razor’s edge. Kinda gave him the creeps.

  Bubai quickly matched the face to a name on the contender list.

  Sun Snake List Rank 20th, Poison Hand Du Ge!

  There’s no notable background to speak of, but...

  Rumors claimed anyone this guy targeted never lives to tell the tale of how they died.

  Of course, nobody alive told the tale, but the corpse said it all. Hence his nickname.

  Was this smiley assassin dangerous? Sure.

  It’s just that... rank 20 really wasn’t even close to being on Bubai’s priority list.

  But since this guy showed up here, it probably meant he got on the challenger list.

  Still, there was no need to show timidity.

  Bubai simply gave the newcomer another casual once-over. “Do I know you?”

  Du Ge’s smiling face didn’t change even when it got low-key smacked.

  “It isn’t surprising that senior brother doesn’t know little me. But I’m sure we’ll get to know each other well… soon enough.”

  “Oh really?” Bubai returned an unbothered smile. “Anything else?”

  “No, no… Just wanted to extend my greetings.”

  After that syrupy yet hollow reply, Du Ge turned and walked off, leaving a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance in the air.

  Perfume? On a poison user? Amateur move.

  Sensing the fishy fragrance infiltrate his olfactory system, Bubai sneered inwardly.

  Whatever it is, since it’s unnatural, just purge it!

  A targeted operation sealed the affected area. Qi stirred and the airways rerouted the fragrance to the mouth…

  After all traces were sealed in an empty vial in his storage space, a drop of green dew was all it took to snuff out any side effects.

  Once his breathing cleared, Bubai’s eyes searched the room.

  Sure enough, he caught sight of smiley face lurking in a darker corner of the lounge and watching him like a viper.

  Oh Merlin, what luck he has to attract these sort of sketchy guys!

  Fortunately or unfortunately, the Du Ge guy didn’t come bother him again, letting Bubai enjoy his massage while listening to the gossip fly.

  Just as Bubai began to relax, the familiar announcer’s voice thundered through the lounge.

  “An incense stick’s time has passed! Inner disciple Long Batian failed to show up. Challenger Mo Guguai wins by default!”

  The lounge erupted.

  “What?!” “For real?!” “That lucky dog!”

  A man slapped his armrest. “Heaven has no eyes! Why does it always have to be someone from those noble clans?”

  “Right? Hah! I say there’s got to be something shady happening!”

  Bubai knew that guy’s right, but even if there’s proof, nothing will change.

  It didn’t take long before Bubai spotted a pallid and charmless character strutting out from the left tunnel.

  A collared, wheat-skinned lady in a grass skirt rushed over to the man like a lapdog begging for a bone.

  “Yay~ Owner, owner! Celebrate with Xiao Ko?”

  The coldly smirking Mo Guguai patted her face. “Good girl. I’ll send you to heaven later.”

  Those scary words was enough to ring the danger bells for most, but the lady chasing after the leaving Mo Guguai still had a face glowing with obsessive devotion.

  When Mo Guguai walked by, he scoffed at Bubai but walked past without saying anything else.

  Bubai looked on bored. What, no clever remarks? Must’ve had a rough day.

  A voice transmission drifted into his ears from behind.

  “That’s one of the great-grandsons of Elder Mo. The younger brother of the Mo Tianhe you met upstairs. Same father, different mother…”

  “But they don’t really get along... Heard it’s because this Mo Guguai is another scourge that cultivates those notorious seed of pleasure.”

  Bubai closed his eyes and softly assured, “Don’t worry, not just anyone can lay their hands on my women.”

  Those hands kneading his shoulders paused for a split second before resuming, but much gentler now.

  “Ah, yes, this is exactly what I needed after such a brutal match. Xiao Hong, you really do have the magic touch.”

  She’s certainly trained, and it was indeed quite enjoyable.

  Too bad Bubai didn’t get to enjoy it for long.

  “Next up, Sun Snake List Fifth Seat, Du Ge, challenging… Inner Disciple Mo Bubai!”

  The sharp eyes of the predators locked onto each other.

  Poison Hand Du Ge, huh? Let’s see how long he’ll keep that smile.