Hundreds of conversations. Bodies pressed close.

  Every step in a packed hall like here would mean a game of jostling for space… normally.

  But unlike some of the other eunuchs weaving about to avoid being trampled, Jia Gonggong’s mere presence seemed to command the passing outer disciples and servants to part like a wave of sardines.

  Those too slow or stubborn even found themselves unceremoniously shoved aside.

  It was rather offensive, but none dared to bite back.

  Eunuchs sometimes deserve less respect than dogs, but beating the dog still has to look at its owner.

  The Jia Clan insignia embroidered on Jia Gonggong’s brocade was a great deterrent even for the common inner disciples, let alone others.

  Nobody with a shred of sense wanted to risk their name showing up in the Grand Elder Jia’s bad books, not unless they had a mountain of backing behind them.

  Even if they did, it wasn’t a cause for problems.

  No eunuch was face-blind. An experienced eunuch from a big clan knew just who they couldn’t afford to touch.

  As for the ones out here… heheh.

  And so, with Jia Gonggong driving the boat, the pair following him enjoyed a leisurely boat ride through the sea of people.

  It was quite the royal treatment.

  Bubai wasn’t used to such behaviors that imprinted his ugly excuse for a face into everybody’s minds, but he never shrinks from capitalizing on the temporary status.

  Since he no longer had to watch out for pickpockets or those trying to feel their bottoms, Bubai was now free to check out the ladies—ahem, the area.

  Echoing the layout of the outer sect’s Fighting Pits, the hall’s inner perimeter was entrenched with arched gateways.

  These larger counterparts opened up to grand stairs that led upward to the viewing stands. This was the destination for a great part of the sea of people.

  But what piqued Bubai’s interest was something else.

  Spaced out between each arched gateway were many stairway entrances, above which a gold-plated number was carved into the white jade wall.

  If Bubai had to guess, perhaps these are…

  The eunuch ahead was putting on airs, but he was quite perceptive.

  “Each of these stairs leads up to a private box. The lower the number, the closer to the center, the better the seats. Young Lord Jia’s box is further down the hall. We are almost there.”

  After circling around a good part of the hall, Jia Gonggong led them over to the staircase marked with the number “11”.

  He then started touting as though the importance of the seating arrangement was the crowning achievement of his life.

  “Boxes ten and above are reserved for core disciples. This box is already the finest available to any inner disciple. Such is the privilege of my young lord’s favor.”

  Honestly, Bubai didn’t really care where he sits, but who would complain about a better view?

  Up the spiral stairs they went.

  Soon, they stopped right outside a yellow jade door.

  “Young master Mo, please wait here until Young Lord Jia summons you.”

  After issue the soft-spoken command, Jia Gonggong inserted a jade slip into the key slot.

  Click. Not missing a beat, the jade door cracked open and the eunuch slipped inside.

  The chatter inside became more hushed all of a sudden…

  Soon, the eunuch formally opened the door wide for the guests while his shrill voice squealed, “Welcoming Young Master Mo Bubai!”

  Bubai exchanged a quick glance with his partner and stepped through the entrance inviting him in like the mouth of some great beast.

  What instantly jumped out to Bubai was the box encased in glass on three sides, offering a grand, unobstructed view of the audience unrolling across the entire open-sky coliseum outside.

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  Crowning the audience stands like beads on a bracelet were other private boxes, each surprisingly with their interiors completely hidden from view.

  Finally, looming at the eastern end was a massive golden sundial.

  Its radiant, golden disc doubled as a platform, where eight empty golden thrones made their homes.

  But that wasn’t the end.

  A few golden steps above them all was a solitary black jade throne perched like a hawk declaring its majesty to all!

  Whose seat was it? It wasn’t hard to guess.

  The Inner Sect Exchange’s importance... The grandness of it all finally hit Bubai.

  Just the packed viewing stands gave him a bigger perspective on just how massive the scale of this sect was.

  So many disciples, servants, slaves... So much power under one roof.

  It was truly a sight to behold.

  Too bad he wasn’t given the alone time to admire this scene for much longer.

  “Look who finally made it—the star of our show!”

  Bubai traced the familiar voice to the lounging area.

  What greeted him was five casually seated men checking him out like a monkey in a zoo.

  Behind each well-dressed man stood a beauty fully cloaked from head to toe. Even their faces were concealed under a wide-brimmed weimao.

  Aside from their height and shape, everything else was a mystery.

  Yet, Bubai could probably guess the identity of one of them because she was standing right behind the host he couldn’t mistake even if he tried: Jia Shizi.

  Right now, the overbearing man had his buff arms crossed, exuding the confidence of someone used to being at the center of attention.

  Not being chummy enough to call him “brother” in front of such an unfamiliar crowd, Bubai instead offered a polite smile. “Senior Brother Jia.”

  Jia Shizi tilted his head. “Huh? It’s only been a few days, but it feels like Brother Mo has become a stranger! Hahaha!”

  “But no worries. After today, we’ll be much closer! Come, come, take a seat!”

  Jia Shizi’s voice carried an easygoing tone, though there was something undeniably predatory about that gaze.

  Bubai’s eyes flicked to the last open seat—right beside the host.

  Just great, center stage again.

  That spot was really a bit showy for his current looks.

  Bubai was hoping somebody would jump out to slap the beggar back to where he belongs, yet... nobody blocked his path to the seat.

  Looks aside, the inner disciple token hanging on his waist certainly sets him apart from the common masses, but it’s silly to think it was effective against big clans.

  It seems… somebody’s status spoke louder here. There was no way out.

  The last seat welcomed its occupant and the hot pepper head found her place behind him, standing elegantly with head held high.

  “Hahaha!” Jia Shizi’s wild laughter accompanied the firm claps on Bubai’s shoulder. "It’s good Brother Mo is not shying away from me!"

  Bubai returned the grin with one of his own, the kind that held just the right mix of deference and ease. “How could I? I’ve still got so much to learn from Senior Brother Jia.”

  Jia Shizi threw his head back, laughing even louder. "Brother Mo really likes to joke around! Just drop the senior, will you? Just call me brother like you used to. There’s no outsiders here."

  At his words, the old grandpa seated next to Bubai piped up, “Hey, hey, Old Lion, don’t treat us like outsiders. How about introducing us to this new friend of ours?”

  Jia Shizi’s grin widened. "Right, right. Brother Mo, this might be the first time you're meeting some of them. Let me do the honors."

  He gestured casually to the older man who had spoken. “That old fella next to you is Tai Yinshe. He’s just a sissy who plays with dolls. No need to be wary of him.”

  Tai Yinshe rolled his eyes dramatically and stroked his white beard. “Hey, hey, money is power, and power is numbers. Young ones, don’t be led astray by the muscle-brain.”

  “Haha, less of that here old snake!”

  Jia Shizi took no offense to the jab and pointed at a lean man.

  "Next to the old snake, we’ve got someone from the same clan as you, brother. Mo Tianhe, a lazy businessman selling bugs. Just call him Brother Tian. He likes that."

  “Senior Brother Tian.”

  Bubai politely nodded toward Mo Tianhe, but the other man’s face showed that he was too lazy to care.

  “And finally, these last two here are my cousins. The one with a bushy beard is Jia Liang, and the bald head beside me is Jia Hu.”

  Jia Hu flashed Bubai a bright smile, pointing to himself. “Hey, it’s Lucky Seven, remember me?”

  Bubai returned a polite nod, earning a derisive scoff from Jia Liang.

  Before the tension could escalate, Jia Shizi clapped Bubai’s shoulder once more and laughed heartily.

  “Hahaha! These cousins of mine have some strange temper issues. Brother Mo, I hope you won’t mind and can take care of them more in the future.”

  Not one to sit quietly, Jia Liang piped up, “Who takes care of who still remains to be seen.”

  Though everyone could feel the underlying tension growing by the second, Jia Shizi laughed it all off like it was all a joke.

  “Anyway, I’m sure you all have your own channels, but I still wanted to personally introduce Brother Mo to you all.”

  Jia Shizi gestured grandly toward Bubai.

  "This is Mo Bubai. We met not long ago in the inner sect and immediately hit it off. Now, while his Qi-refinement cultivation might not be anything to write home about, he’s got something better!"

  The smiling lion slapped his own thigh. "Pride in his manhood and a belief in our shared motto. Sharing is caring!"

  Those predatory eyes swept over all four men. “So, everybody... please get along with him from now on!”

  In response, four pairs of predatory eyes landed on the newcomer.

  Bubai had to suppress the urge to cringe. Merlin above, get along with him?!

  This Jia guy’s introduction was essentially practically painting a giant target on his back!

  Bubai cast a sideways glance at the grinning devil who’d just spewed lies as easily as he breathed, then his gaze went back to the other four.

  Some faces he met officially for the first time, but he still recognized them all.

  Bubai wasn’t sure if that Jia Liang made it to the top ten of the Sun Snake list, but that “Lucky Seven” definitely looks like he cemented his spot as a challenger!

  Then there was the bug seller, Mo Tianhe. Low-key and unassuming, typical of the Mo clan’s style, but he was still an inner disciple nevertheless!

  As for the so-called “sissy” sitting next to him? That old grandpa was none other than the foundation stage guardian of Hei Hua Lou back when he looted his doll!

  Bruh! He was literally sitting in a den of wolves, each one with teeth sharper than the last!

  If he really believed Jia Shizi’s honeyed words, he’d be walking straight into the pit without even realizing it!