Pak. Pak.

  The grinning Jia Shizi clapped his hands.

  "That’s it for introductions! A few faces missing are still missing, but it already warms my heart to see this many like-minded brothers gathered together like this."

  The old man next door piped up, “Hey, hey. Old Lion, you didn’t invite those two from the Wu Clan this time?”

  Here, Mo Tianhe drawled, "You still think they have the mind to participate in our little games? They’re probably out there still trying to find others to fight on their behalf."

  “Ayo! Really? Hey, hey, why didn’t they come to me? These old bones is always happy to lend a helping doll for a small price.”

  Jia Shizi butted in, “That’s because you’re always asking for those expensive cauldrons with good skin! How can they possibly agree?”

  The devil patted his own broad chest, “Look at me. I offer food, lodging, and beauties to all those who seek out my help! It can’t get any better!”

  Tai Yinshe almost yanked a tuft of his scraggy white beard out in disbelief and huffed back.

  "You smiling lion make yourself sound so wonderful, but no one with a bit of sense would ask for a tuft of your hair!"

  “Oh, there are plenty who are willing, hahaha!”

  When his wild laugh died down, Jia Shizi turned to the quiet onlooker of the show.

  "Speaking of this. If Brother Mo needs Shizi to fight on his behalf, just say the word! I’m sure we can work something out!"

  Work something out? Oh boy, Bubai doesn’t like the sound of that.

  He could already guess what sort of payment this devil demands.

  Originally, Bubai didn’t mind being a pig to stay out of the limelight.

  That’s why he befriended this hulking brute to be his convenient backup plan.

  But since those low-key plans have been tossed out the window…

  Offering up a polite smile, Bubai cupped his fist and returned a salute.

  “Bubai appreciates Brother Jia’s generous offer, but I should be able to handle things on my own for now. I’ll be sure to call upon Brother Jia when the need arises.”

  The rejection left the eyes of the predator gleaming in gloominess, but the grin never left his face.

  “Good! I really look forward to it! Don’t be shy when the time comes! Just say the word, and Shizi will be at your side.”

  At his other side, Lucky Seven’s eyes darted between the two with interest. “Elder cousin Shizi, you must have... quite the close relationship with Senior Brother Bubai here.”

  “Haha, very true! We’re almost sharing pants! My Jia Fei has tasted him so much that she couldn’t even get out of bed!”

  The seasoned grandpa squinted suspiciously at them, but still carried the conversation forward.

  “Hey, hey, no wonder you didn’t bring her along this time. That one behind you must be the little one, aye?”

  Jia Shizi slapped his thigh. "Right! We still haven’t let the ladies introduce themselves. That won’t do at all! Let me start with my family’s jewel! Wan’er!"

  Behind him, the mystery beauty took off her weimao, revealing sunshine-blond waves cascading down to frame sea-blue eyes and a face as fresh as dawn.

  The youthful lady stepped forward and did a little curtsy. "Wan’er greets Uncle Snake, Uncle Tian, and all the esteemed uncles."

  After her sweet and soft greeting, her father held her chin to show her off with a possessive pride.

  "My genius daughter. You've all watched her grow up. She’s still inexperienced compared to her mother, but she's got her own set of tricks."

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  The old grandpa stroked his beard, nodding with a nostalgic sigh. "Aye, I remember holding her when she was just a baby. Time really flies."

  "Yeah, time really flies..." Jia Shizi rolled his shoulders and leaned back into his seat. "So, who's next?"

  Bald-headed Lucky Seven shot his hand up eagerly. "Em. Hope nobody minds letting this junior take the stage next!"

  Getting a nod from Jia Shizi and the interested looks of others, the baldy clapped his tanned hand full of calluses.

  The veil was lifted and even the outer robe was shed.

  What’s left was a slim black-haired beauty swaying her ponytail like a banner.

  Though her skin was abnormally pale, it made her striking emerald eyes stand out all the more.

  "This here is my seventh concubine, Xiao Qiqi. Em… Nothing too special, but I’ll say she does bear a resemblance to a certain saintess, doesn’t she?"

  The lazily lounging Mo Tianhe already sat up, his appreciative eyes checking her out.

  "Not bad. The skin’s not quite right, but those are good eyes. Where did you find her?"

  A cheeky grin popped onto the bronze egghead’s face.

  "Believe it or not, she’s actually my younger stepsister. Our family kept her at home for bride cultivation. I just happened to be lucky enough win her in a little bet."

  Old Grandpa Snake couldn’t resist piping up. "Hey, hey, you Jia family sure like to get mixed up in these messy affairs, aye?"

  Lucky Seven shrugged nonchalantly and passed the baton to the man whose beard bristled like a wild thicket next to him. "Em, Cousin Liang, you next?"

  Jia Liang scoffed and clapped his hand.

  Except... there was no response from his partner.

  “Disobedient again!” His face soured, and he yanked hard on a chain attached to her neck. Rattle. Rattle.

  Hopping up from his seat, the gruff man towered over the lady he forced forward and ripped off her outer layers.

  Left standing in a spaghetti strap white dress was a petite figure with pink hair that barely brushed her shoulders.

  Her modest assets had little to boast about, but her fresh face was marked with an undeniable budding charm and sharp, black pupils that blazed like twin flames.

  But that didn’t stop Jia Liang from roughly handling her like a trophy.

  "Meet my niece. She almost passed the selection to join the Feng clan, but she fell short due to an accident."

  Raindrops that evoked pity welled up in the lily’s eyes, but there was no softness in her bone-softening growl. "Trash! It wasn’t an accident! You drugged me that night!"

  “Oh.” Jia Liang sneered.

  "As you can see, she’s still got some hard bones left in her after being sent back. I brought her here in hopes that my respected brothers can help... educate her. Come on, Ke’er, why don’t you say hello?"

  Ke’er bit her lips and turned her head to the side.

  This little lady clearly had defiance written in her bones.

  This was a trait that might be celebrated elsewhere. But here?

  In this den of demons, what will happen was all too predictable.

  After spending months in this demonic sect, Bubai had long pieced together some of the unspoken law and order.

  Every virgin butterfly in this sect has a chance to break free from their cocoon.

  Those who pass the assessment soars up the phoenix branch.

  Those that fail... there was nothing left of their dignity.

  From then on, their path will go down the stages of unspeakable tragedy.

  Toy, public toilet, then... disposable toilet paper.

  Once disposable, they will have all their worth drained for cultivation, ending up refined into dolls, seeds of pleasures, evil spirits...

  The list only gets longer.

  This was why so many women were conditioned to fear the Public Commons District.

  They knew that once they were sent there, the stage afterwards is a gruesome ending.

  This was the true face of this dual cultivation sect thriving in a cruel hierarchy.

  Bubai knew there was nothing a little guy like him can do to change this… at least for the time being.

  As the sages once said: Survive first, rise later.

  For now, all Bubai could do was to capitalize on the benefits given by this established system, just like these old fritters that has seen it all.

  Stroking his beard, the old snake’s sleazy eyes appreciated the little mouse. “Hey, hey, I just happen to have a knack for training these sorts.”

  Jia Liang returned a flattered grin. “Then please take good care of her later, Senior Tai.”

  Tai Yinshe nodded sagely and turned to the guy that was back to lounging lazily in his seat. "Brother Tian, you first?"

  “Fine.” Mo Tianhe’s hand languidly beckoned to the tall lady standing behind him.

  The weimao fell off like a petal, unveiling an oriental beauty with long black hair neatly styled in an elegant bun.

  The outer cloak was untied and pooled on the ground, leaving behind a black kimono that hugged her voluptuous, shapely assets all the way down to just barely cover what needs to be covered.

  Bubai could only say: Wow, that kimono designer really knew what they were doing! Ahem. Ahem.

  Feeling the fiery eyes raking her figure, the lady presented a pleasing smile that had held no fire, “Keiko greets the noble lords.”

  Tai Yinshe chortled. "Hey, hey, this thirsty dancer again?"

  “Yeah.” A lazy smile hung on Mo Tianhe’s face.

  “My sister-in-law has been rather lonely ever since the recent passing of my elder brother. So, I thought it best to bring this widow out to blow some wind.”

  Seeing many of the men smack their lips, Bubai gave the smiling flower a second glance.

  There didn’t seem to be anything too special.

  If anything, Bubai did remember seeing this butterfly flitting about among the entourage escorting him during his spirit boat ride here…

  But he really doesn’t have much of an impression outside of that.

  “Hey, hey, it’s finally these old bone’s turn! I’m sure you’re all familiar with my old lady by now…”

  Bubai’s heart skipped a beat. Old lady?

  His eyes hopped over to the mysterious lady standing ramrod straight behind the old man.

  No way. Are they really going to transition from a beauty pageant to a grandma tea party?

  Grandpa Tai chortled, “Aye, I can see some of you are rather excited. Then...”

  His aged fingers tapped his temple a few times.

  At his cue, the tall statue began shedding her veil of mysteriousness…

  What emerged was...