“Ou, our box may not have the best view like those numbered above. Hope Brother Bai won’t despise our humble conditions...” “Not at all, not

  “Ou, our box may not have the best view like those numbered above. Hope Brother Bai won’t despise our humble conditions...”

  “Not at all, not at all. A gentleman does not belittle others, let alone a brother.”

  “Ouu! Well said, brother! Well said! Ou- Box 17, we’re here!”

  After inserting a jade slip into the key slot, the beaming Qian Bage gave the jade door a few quick raps then pushed it open.

  “Ou~ Coming in~”

  Inside the box, the middle-aged trio lounging by the window peered back.

  “Look who’s finally here—oh?! Xiao Ba, you didn’t tell us you were bringing a guest...”

  “Ouu! How could I when I wasn’t even sure if I would succeed? It took me no small effort to invite this big Buddha! Come, everyone, meet Brother Bai!”

  “Oh, oh, so it’s a distinguished guest!”

  “Aiyo, you must be the new brother Xiao Ba’s been endlessly bragging about! Welcome! Welcome!”

  The three men rose from their seats, each cupping their fists in greeting.

  The tallest among them, with sharp features and a taciturn face, took the lead in introductions.

  “Meeting for the first time. Qian Fusha. You can call me Lao Er.”

  He then bowed politely. “Thank you for looking after our family’s troublemaker while we were away.”

  “No, no, you’re too polite...”

  Bubai barely had the chance to return the courtesy when the honest-faced, well-built fellow right beside thumped his chest.

  “Name’s Qian Zhongta. Everyone calls me Lao Si!”

  Then, he jerked a thumb at the last lanky fellow sporting tattoos on his face. “And this face-painted chopstick beside me goes by Qian Feifu.”

  The last of the trio flashed an easygoing grin and cheerfully waved. “Hello, hello! Just call me Lao Wu.”

  “Everyone, well met!” Bubai politely saluted each one. “I go by Mo Bubai, but feel free to call me Bubai or Xiao Bai. Please pardon me for my intrusion.”

  The taciturn Qian Fusha graciously added a chair at the end and gestured for him to sit.

  “No need to be so formal. Since Xiao Ba calls you brother, then please don’t be shy and make yourself at home.”

  “Second Brother is right! Come, join us!”

  “Yea, yeah! All us brothers are friendly! Don’t worry that we’ll bite! Hahaha!”

  “Ou, right, right! Brother Bai, no need to be so reserved!” Qian Bage enthusiastically clapped Bubai’s shoulder from behind. “Go. Sit, sit! Quick, Lao Wu, pour Brother Bai some wine!”

  “On it!”

  Seeing the other really picking up a wine pot, Bubai hastily walked over.

  “No, no, no need to! I can do it myself! Hey, Xiao Hong, why are you standing there like a block of wood! Quick—”

  “Too late! Hahaha!” Qian Feifu cackled and picked up the filled cup.

  “It’s rare to meet new friends! There’s no need to trouble a lady to pour wine! Just treat this cup as a greeting toast from us brothers!”

  Wind gathered in his palm and a flick of his wrist then sent the cup shooting straight over!

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Sensing the force attached to the cup, Bubai’s face changed and he quickly twisted to the side.

  Just when the cup whizzed past him, his claws boldly reached out to catch it!

  To avoid shattering the cup, he went with the momentum, smoothly spinning around with the cup to disperse the force without spilling a single drop.

  Coming to a stop, Bubai turned back with a composed smile and raised the cup to toast them. “Thanks for the toast. Then Bubai won’t be polite.”

  Seeing the cup of wine get downed in one go, the brothers exchanged glances and smiled.

  Qian Feifu was the first to break into applause. “Brother Bai, good skill!”

  Qian Zhongta crossed his arms, firmly nodding. “As expected of a brother chosen by Xiao Ba.”

  Qian Bage combed back his messy hair smugly. “Ou~! You guys still don’t trust my eyesight when it comes to people?”

  The taciturn Qian Fusha showed a hint of a smile.

  “Watching from afar is never as good as seeing it in person. I hope Brother Bai won’t take offense at our little test.”

  Bubai returned an unbothered smile. “When there’s good wine to share, why take offense?”

  “Good. Good! Brother Bai is straightforward! I like it!”

  “Right? Hahaha!”

  Happy laughter livened up the box and Qian Feifu eagerly patted the chair beside him.

  “Come, sit, sit! You two took your sweet time getting here. If I’m not wrong, the elders will probably arrive any moment now—aiyo! Speak of the sun, and it rises…”

  Outside the window, the fanfare horns blared and beams of light descended from the heavens onto the ginormous sun disc once more.

  Elders Jia, Tai, Feng, Mo all arrived!

  Yet this time, the grand elder owning the great braided beard did not appear in the skies like a deity greeting his flock.

  Instead, he stood tall by his throne, looking skywards with the rest...

  Suddenly, the heavens shifted. The clear, sandy-blue sky bled into a deep crimson!

  One heartbeat, the skies were empty.

  A split second later, a figure popped into existence high above the sun disc, as if reality itself had folded to make way for his arrival!

  Ooom! An overwhelming presence pressed the hush switch of the entire coliseum.

  Then, in unison, the elders placed a hand across their chests and bowed. “Welcome, Your Majesty. Praise you, praise the sun.”

  Like a tidal wave rolling across the arena, all disciples followed suit. “Praise Your Majesty, Praise the Sun!”

  “Hum.” A single word shook every mind present.

  Then the figure ignited in a flurry of flames, vanishing from the sky and almost instantly reappearing before his grand throne with hands clasped behind his back.

  There, any box dwellers got a glimpse of a resplendent golden dragon swallowing the sun.

  But a glimpse later, the man garbed in majestic red turned around and slowly took his seat on the black throne looming above all.

  It was then, Bubai saw it. A featureless face completely blurred out by a mysterious, shifting fog.

  There were no eyes to be found, but Bubai still felt that gaze sweep across their box and the absolutely suffocating palpation that came with it.

  It quickly came, and quickly left.

  But that was enough to make him sweat inside, almost slumping down in his seat.

  Merlin above, what was that?! That pressure… was it the so-called suppression in life level?

  So this is the power of a Nascent Soul old monster? Just a glance and it was so terrifying!

  And that was before considering this old monster’s other powers.

  Just the teleportation-like performance alone was enough to shake his worldview!

  For real though, the special effects were maxed out!

  But most importantly…

  To think this old monster will actually personally come out to suppress the scene.

  Doesn’t he have something better to do, like closed-door cultivation?

  The Qian brothers at his side answered that for him.

  “Ouu! It’s been more than a full decade since the ancestor went into seclusion. He rarely comes out to ask about worldly affairs, but this year is special, huh?”

  “No duh. The secret realm required his majesty’s presence. Since he’s out, it’s not too surprising he’ll be staying out for a while longer to join in the fun.”

  “Aiyo, Lao Si, who can say if it’s just for fun? Maybe he’s here to observe the new blood? I heard there was a monstrous evildoer appearing in the sect while we’re gone.”

  “Oh, now that you mentioned it… Xiao Ba, you managed to stay behind. Did you catch any juicy wind?”

  Blinking innocently, Qian Bage shrugged. “Ou please. Even those elders don’t know the full story. What makes you think I do? You’re thinking way too highly of your little brother, aren’t you?”

  “Right, right. How can you know? Then again, your creepy crawlies really like to... Haha.”

  This earned an eye-roll from the shorty, who subsequently leaned over to Bubai and flashed a cheeky grin.

  "Ou, ou, Brother Bai, this is your chance! If you catch the ancestor’s eye, you might just soar to the heavens in one step! Don’t forget to take care of your good brother then!"

  Bubai shooed away the ridiculous notion. “A little guy like me? Please. I’ll be happy if I can make it out in one piece. Hahaha…”

  “Oi. Brother Bai, don’t sell yourself short...” Qian Feifu toasted him with a cup of wine.

  “Your skills are impressive, and even more so, your special physique. Who knows? Maybe you really got a chance!”

  Bubai toasted back politely. “You flatter me, you flatter me. Compared to you senior brothers, I’m just a newcomer. I’d say you all have a better shot than me.”

  Qian Zhongta shakes his head.

  “No good. No good. We’re getting old. Maybe Xiao Ba has a shot, but this kiddo spends more time chasing that untouched jade than cultivating! With all the trouble he causes, if it weren’t for—”

  "Ow! Lao Wu, why are you pinching me?!"

  Seeing the reproachful eye signals his brothers were giving him, the honest man blinked then awkwardly laughed it off.

  Bubai was quite curious about what was left unsaid, but...

  “Ou, Brother Bai, don’t mind them. Just sibling nonsense! Ou, ou! Look!”

  Qian Bage pointed out the window. “It’s starting, it’s starting!”