Was Bubai surprised? Sure. But the challenge was already set in stone.

  Everybody in the private box looked at the old stiffy who was halfway on the road to glory.

  "Aye, can't these young sprouts let these old bones rest? They just had to disturb me right in the middle of my happy hour!"

  The ruddy-faced grandpa could only hastily tuck on his trousers while grumbling irritably.

  "Hah! Old snake, I told you! Hole up in that little dollhouse for too long, and these young worms are bound to come knocking!"

  Jia Shizi slapped his armrest while laughing hard.

  Hitching up his belt, Tai Yinshe sighed.

  "Hey, hey, someone had to watch the house while the rest were gone. These old bones can only sacrifice myself so the clan's juniors can get their shot to rise."

  Several eye rolls came from the others.

  What sacrifice? Staying behind was clearly a winning ticket for somebody like him! Who’s he trying to fool?

  The shameless old fritter could care less about the sympathy which he knew full well he wasn’t getting.

  After slipping the weimao back over the goddess-turned-doll, he cast a final wistful look their way.

  "Hey, hey, these old bones still got to give my clan’s junior a few tips before his fight later. I won’t play with you bunch any longer. Chow."

  The jade door clicked open and shut, leaving four pairs of eyes sharing grins while a single pair was left awkwardly debating what to do next…

  Bubai knew it was impossible not to look a little foolish now, given how eagerly he’d jumped up.

  Guess he’ll pretend nothing happened and just... sit back down?

  Sike! Bubai didn’t even have to choose. Somebody else did that for him!

  With lashes fluttering, a thirsty yang energy absorber wasted no time in pressing for an answer using her heavy, water-drop-shaped milk jugs!

  "Lord Bubai, please paint Keiko’s face with your— mmf!"

  Oops! Bubai had to plug her mouth to censor any words unsuitable for innocent ears!

  Ahem. There was obviously no other choice! Really!

  Jia Shizi burst into laughter. "Hahaha! It seems somebody’s still thirsty for more!"

  The bald egghead eagerly rubbed his hands together and suggested, "How about another round of rolls, then?"

  But the devil always have different ideas.

  "No, no… how about we spice things up and move on to something more exciting, yes? Old rules?"

  "Sure." Mo Tianhe leaned back with a lazy grin and pointed at the pink-haired bunny sitting splay-legged on the floor. "But where are we putting her?"

  The devil’s gaze landed on the flushed, disheveled prey furiously scrubbing her own swollen lips.

  He then threw a silent cue to his bushy-bearded cousin, who caught the hint with a dark look.

  Jia Liang narrowed his eyes and barked, "Useless thing! What are you sitting there for?! Hurry up and get yourself back over here or see how I punish you once we get home!"

  Those teary eyes shot her master a fierce glare, yet the defiant bunny still wobbled to her feet and stumbled back over.

  That was the signal for the game host to clear up the old rules for the only party not in the know.

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  "This is the first time Brother Mo is joining us, but I’m sure you are familiar with the... little game we used to play together."

  Knowing exactly what “game” this Jia Shizi was talking about, Bubai’s lips twitched.

  Merlin’s beard... here we go again.

  Reading a “yes” from Bubai’s face, Jia Shizi’s devilish grin became even more unrestrained.

  "Since Brother Mo remembers, then there’s no need to waste time explaining!"

  The devil clapped twice.

  "Then let’s continue the game! Everyone, switch one seat to the left! Brother Mo, I trust you won’t mind me being the first to taste your wicked rose in this round?"

  Bubai didn’t bother with a reply. Whether he minds or not, does it matter? Who’s in control? Everyone here knows.

  And apparently, Miss Hong knew it too.

  Just after getting up, she cast the beefy host a smoldering glance and sashayed over without looking back.

  To the unworthy, her heart was as black as her qipao.

  To the strong, she was a fragrant rose.

  “Young lord Jia, let Hong’er bless your… sun’s glory.”

  Seeing the compliant rose, the devil’s pupils swirled with bottomless schemes.

  But only after a few breath, he took his eyes off her and nudged his blonde daughter toward Bubai.

  "Brother Mo, you must already be well-acquainted with my family’s Wan’er. She’s all yours for now. Have at her!"

  Seeing the honey bee buzzing over, the butterfly could only reluctantly pop off from the nectar dispenser.

  “Lord Bubai, come pay a visit to Keiko in the Mo Clan if you ever want to... discuss poetry over a cup of hot tea.”

  Leaving that, Madam Keiko crawled back to her master lazing a seat away.

  The big witch was finally sent away, but...

  Bubai leaked a sigh when the young witch grabbed his wand with a shy smile.

  “Daddy is finally using Wan’er again… let Wan’er make daddy happy.”

  Jia Wan brushed back her wavy golden hair behind her ear and brought her wand-polishing tool to take care of the leak.

  Immediately, Bubai could felt the difference. Fresh. Eager.

  She was able to show a hint of her mother’s capabilities in touching his raw nerves, but... that was good as it got.

  Compared to the seasoned oiran next door, this was nothing.

  A sage once said: the young are as good as they come, but they still can’t compete with the old hands.

  So, even when those electric blue eyes of hers tried to seduce him, Bubai looked away bored.

  The devil sees all and knew just how to make the best of the situation.

  Jia Shizi rose from his seat and clapped. "Brothers, it’s no fun sticking with the same routine! What say we start the main feast over at the windows?”

  His bald egghead cousin, in the midst of eating the tofu sold by the caged pink-bunny, shot up eagerly. "Em, I’ll second that!"

  After a languid stretch, Mo Tianhe got up and slipped an arm around Madam Keiko’s waist. "Oh, why not. Let’s see if Old Snake has any new tricks to show off this year."

  Grunting in agreement, Jia Liang yanked the obedient Qiqi up by her ponytail and towed her along.

  Seeing them all heading over to the private box’s large window pane, Bubai could only tag along with his new tail following suit.

  Qipao, kimono, and whatever was left started slipping off.

  The men lined up while smooth jade backs and squishy hills were pressed against the chilled glass…

  The tight, negative-distance connection let Bubai stand close enough from the glass to get a full view of the enormous arena below.

  Honestly, there was nothing particularly special.

  It was just a way larger, scaled-up version of the fighting pits he’d seen before.

  This didn’t just mean lots more battle space, but also way higher walls – the kind that was probably tall enough to be the defense of a fortress.

  Except for the two gates standing on opposite ends, white jade plated this enclosure, stretching from the top of the wall all the way down to the ground floor paved in a layer of black jade.

  And at this time, the floor welcomed the two contestants coming out from their respective gates.

  On one side was a scrawny scamp flashing his sole golden tooth among the rows of rotten.

  On the other was a hunched grandpa hammering his aching waist…

  Think the grandpa’s a harmless, soft persimmon? Haha. Think again.

  The instant the Grand Elder’s “Begin!” thundered through the coliseum, the old man’s idly hammering hand flew from his waist right to patting his storage pouch!

  Out came battle dolls one by one, each mechanically unfolding themselves like awakening robots!

  While most army-style cultivators could only be restricted to one or two minions, the rich is only restricted by the limits of their control talent and how much they can carry in their storage!

  That old man’s storage pouch was definitely at least mid-grade because it wasn’t long before he a small squad of skimpily-armored female warriors forming a tight perimeter around him!

  Right beside Bubai, Mo Tianhe snorted, looking vaguely unimpressed. “Just low-tiers made from mortals. Looks like Old Snake isn’t even taking this seriously.”

  Not serious? Bubai’s lips twitched.

  As expected of the army style…

  Bringing out a small army of low-grade dolls that was more than enough for smashing through most opponents counted as “not serious”.

  Guess it makes sense though.

  Mid-grade dolls were no longer confined to the realm of mortals.

  Just one of those was enough to whop the living daylight out of the average late-stage Qi refiner without breaking a sweat!

  If any mid-tiers like that Leng Meng goddess doll were to take action, it’ll just be a one-sided slaughter!

  Anybody that did their research should know this.

  Bubai’s attention flicked over to the scamp on the other side. This was no average Joe...

  Rotten Ya - The Rookie Crusher. This was a cruel roadblock for countless rising geniuses!

  A guy like this…

  Bubai really doesn’t have a clue what brain fart went through his mind to challenge the wealthy, foundation-realm doll maker over easy pickings like himself!

  Yet one thing was certain...

  After dragging on and on with all them fill’ers, finally, it was time to see some action!